Season Opens With Derby Win
St Ives 12: 5 Pirates Amateurs
A very encouraging crowd gathered at The recreation Ground for the first fixtures of the new season. St Ives were playing Pirates Amateurs for the first time in several seasons. The day was calm and warm. The ground and clubhouse looking at its best for years. Everyone anticpipated a free flowing game with plenty of opportunity for the backs to show off their skill and agility. Tries were expected in plenty. Not to be.
The two equally competing sides cancelled each other out with some impressive defence. St Ives especially found it difficult to mount any pressure in the opponents' 22, while they tackled in numbers and took control at the break down to gain turnovers from various Ams attackes. A notable try saver came from Todd Prisk, playing his first game for The Hakes for a number of years, when the would be sprinter on the left wing was hailed into touch just a metre or two from the line.
Pirates had chances to kick at goal, but preferred the possibility of tries. One such was just on half time. A scrum was elected to no avail. Shortly after it was St Ives who had a penalty and wisely chose to covert it to three points via the reliable boot of Grant Thirlby; 3:0.
The second half was little different although The Hakes gained in cofidence as a further three kicks at goal were converted. One could say with a degree of accuracy that the home side demonstrated better game management. Behind by 12 : 0 Pirates continued to seek a try and found one in the bottom left corner. The missed conversion heralded the last kick of the game. St Ives took four valuable league points to put them in fourth spot.
First away fixture
St Ives travel to Plymstock Albion Oaks this coming Saturday 9th September. The last time the two sides met in Plymstock was 5th September 2015 in the Cornwall & Devon league. It was the season's opener and St Ives won 21 : 36. Their paths crossed briefly with the Devon side gaining promotion from Devon 1 as runners up, while St Ives were relagted from Western Counties West. By the end of the 2015-16 season St Ives regained promotion to Western Counties West as runners up.
In the re-arrangement of the league system post Covid-19 the Oaks were placed into the newly formed Counties 1 Tribute Western West league having finished 5th in Cornwall and Devon (now defunct). Last season they were 9th in this league. Also playing at home last week they defeated Paignton more than adaquately, 31 : 12, to collect a bonus point that sees them at top spot in the table. This promises to be another huge test for St Ives as they make the first of many visits out of the Duchy.
Meanwhile, here is a video clip of one of the tries in that previous match eight years ago when Neil Corin scored.
