2016 - 2017: A Summary
Best season for several years
The Hakes have completed their best season for a number of years. Back in 2010-2011, St Ives was relegated from The South West One (West) league with 49pts, one point below Chosen Hill Former Pupils. The following year brought a further drop into the Cornwall & Devon league. Thus began a time of promotion and relegation, until the solid mid table performance under coach Paul Thirlby this year.
2011-2012: Western Counties West: Relegated
2012 – 2013 Cornwall & Devon: Promoted as runners up.
2013 – 2014 Western Counties West: Avoided relegation by one point.
2014 -2015 Western Counties West: Relegated
2015 – 2016 Cornwall & Devon: Promoted as runners up
2016 -2017 Western Counties West: 6th place
Appearances
Jordan Gott played in all 27 matches, 10 at fly half, 10 at full back, 4 at centre, 2 on the wing and one as replacement. Captain, Ben Taylor and Steve Kenward missed just one match each, with 26 appearances, while Martyn Lawrance made 25 appearances.
Seven players had twenty or more appearances, while four more managed more than 15 appearances. These fifteen made up the core of the squad. Eight players turned out just once and another seven had five or less.
As with last season, a total of 42 players were used by The Hakes throughout the course of the season, with eight different props, 3 hookers, 13 different pairs at second row, 15 back row players, 3 scrum halves, 4 fly halves, 5 centres, 12 wingers and 5 full backs.
The most steadfast position was Steve Kenward, all 26 matches at centre. The most versatile back Jordan Gott and the utility man in the forwards was Tom Chandler, who played prop, second row and flanker.
Several players are worth congratulating and acknowledging for their number of performances over the last two seasons: Ben Taylor and Martyn Lawrance 51, Ben Jenkins 49 and Jamie Prisk and Lewis Thomas with 48.
Points
Jordan Gott was responsible for the vast majority of the goal kicking, taking over from Grant Thirlby, who did so well the previous season. Jordan amassed 251pts, which included 58 conversions and 29 penalty goals. Based on conversion only (as the total of attempted PGs is unknown), his success rate was 59%.
Jordan was also the top try scorer, with nine, equalled by Martyn Lawrance and Tom Chandler. Jordan's tries came from 27 matches, Martyn’s from 25 and Tom’s from only 20 matches, making the latter the most prolific scorer this season.
Comparison
How does the season compare to last year?
Next season in Western Counties West
Falmouth and Paignton, champions and runners up in Cornwall & Devon will be promoted to Western Counties West, while Bude return to Cornwall and Devon and Wellington too, in all probability, as they are the most westerly Somerset club.
Kingsbridge will return to Western Counties West after just one season at level 6 in South West One (West). Who will take the other spot to make up the fourteen teams is not an easy calculation. Bottom of the table from South West One (West), Midsomer Norton, are too far to the east (Bath), while Somerset Premier winners, Winscombe, are in Bristol, with runners up, Oldfield Old Boys even further away. The nearest transfer from Western Counties North would be Minehead.
