Sidmouth Overcome as Hakes Take Bonus Point Win

St Ives 44 v 12 Sidmouth

Last Saturday St Ives welcomed Devon side Sidmouth to Alexandra Road in their latest Western Counties West league game.

Joint Head Coaches Rob Elloway and Paul Thirlby named a side which included several changes. In the front row Tom Chandler made his first start at prop, with Ben Jenkins and Leigh Hocking unavailable. John Lamsin returned to the second row and Harry Parton to the flank. Tony Stevens was named as a replacement to make his debut this season.

Sidmouth had been without a win since the opening day of the season when they took an impressive victory away to St Austell. Things started well for the Hakes when left wing Pete Mabbott opened the scoring, with a try out wide on the left, which was converted by Rhys Brownfield.

Early on the Sidmouth team were prevented from mounting any serious assaults on the St Ives try line and were reduced to a single penalty chance which was not taken; it hit the upright. In the 12th minute St Ives were reduced to 14 men when number 8 Martyn Lawrance was shown a yellow card when he trod on his tackler. Despite being a man short St Ives extended their lead in the 17th minute when Rhys Brownfield finished off an attack for his first try of the season. The conversion attempt was missed, but St Ives held the early advantage at 12 points to nil.

The next period of the match saw Sidmouth have their best spell of the game. They attacked the St Ives line with determination, but were thwarted by strong St Ives defence. In the 24th minute their persistence paid off when St. Ives failed to put the ball into touch from a penalty almost under their posts. Such was the strength of the wind. Ethan Mead crossed wide on the left for a well-deserved try. Dan Retter missed the conversion to leave the visitors trailing by 7 points at 12-5.

St Ives lost their skipper Steve Kenward in the 30th minute. Enjoying one of his best games for some time, with plenty of meters being made, he fell awkwardly in a tackle and received a nasty knee injury which resulted in him spend the evening in hospital. St Ives’ injuries list was further added to when Josh Palmer limped off in the 35th minute.

The half was finished off with another St Ives try. Replacement right wing Liam Jolly ran well to touch down in the corner after some excellent handling. With no conversion the half time score was set at St Ives 17, Sidmouth 5.

When the second half began it started to look as though the St Ives players were determined to put the result beyond doubt. The bonus point try was scored in the 47th minute when Pete Mabbott crossed for his second try with Brownfield converting (24-5).

St Ives began to control all areas of the field. The scrum was dominating and the strong support play was creating plenty of opportunities for the Hakes in attack.

St Ives scrum half Sam Carter created an opportunity for himself in the 56th minute when he chipped over the Sidmouth defence to regather the ball and score a fine individual try. The conversion was missed, but St Ives had a grip on the game at 29 points to 5.

Mabbott Pulls Out Another Hat Trick

The St Ives domination continued until near the end. Two further tries, from Mabbott with his third and Tom Chandler that both went un-converted ensured that St Ives had secured the points at 39 to 5. Sidmouth scored a consolation try through Dan Ledger, which was converted by Dan Retter. However, St Ives finished things off with a try in the last play of the match through Tom Nicholas which went un-converted to make the final score St Ives 44, Sidmouth 12.

This result sees St Ives climb to 3rd in the league. They trail 2nd placed St Austell on points difference and leaders Devonport Services by one point. This coming Saturday St Ives welcome Devon side Tiverton to Alexandra Road. Kick-off is scheduled for 3:00pm, any support would be very welcome.

St Ives: Tom Chandler, Rob Elloway, Ben Taylor, Jamie Prisk, John Lamsin, Harry Parton, Cameron Bone, Martyn Lawrance, Sam Carter, Paul Thirlby, Peter Mabbott, Steve Kenward, Tom Nicholas, Josh Palmer, Rhys Brownfield.

Replacements: Tony Stevens, Joel Stevens, Liam Jolly (All Used).