Sat 2 Sep 2023
Report by Scoop Muggeridge
The Ashes, The Old Firm Derby, the Ryder Cup; all significant sporting rivalries but all ones that fade into insignificance when compared to Huntingdon v St Ives clashing in Counties 2 Midlands East (South).
So it was a new dawn, a new season, a new leader – Simon Leader, a new hope.
Stags started the brightest of the two sides, playing up the hill their early efforts were rewarded with an early penalty goal to Owain Collard. Stags continued to apply pressure and a sustained period of attacked saw a gap open down the left flank which Barney West exploited to score Stags first try of the match and the new campaign. Collard followed up with the conversion.
St Ives slowly grew into the game, and made inroads into Stags territory and threatened to score on multiple occasions. A combination of solid front foot defence and some wayward throwing at attacking lineouts from the hosts saw Stags line hold firm.
St Ives had several former Stags in their side, and one on the bench. One of these former players, Michael Sykes, created the most controversial moment of the match late in the first half where he saw yellow for a high shot on Roger Shakespeare. It could easily have been a red card given the new tackles rules, however the referee who had an excellent performance in general, drew leniency in the fact that Sykes is above average height while Shakespear is the height of an average child.
Stags headed for oranges with a healthy 10-0 lead, and the confidence of playing down hill in the second stanza. The enthusiasm was short-lived. For the first ten minutes of the second half Stags seemed half asleep, the defence a shadow of that of the first half, and two quick tries from St Ives saw them take the lead for the first time in the match 14-10.
It was the merely a shot in the arm for Stags. A quick turnover saw JJ Ward make a nice break down the right, who fed inside to Collard who in turn was chopped down right on the line but good support play from Jack Skidmore saw him go over for the score that put stags back in the lead. Collard converted to make the score 17-14.
Collard had the opportunity from the kicking tee to extend the lead further, however missed with two penalty attempts.
With eight minutes remaining, Stags captain Wayne Bradley was given a yellow card for a deliberate knockdown when it looked for all money St Ives would score. The final five minute saw St Ives camped deep in Stags territory but errors and turnovers, coupled with spirited defence gave Stags a much deserved win.
Leading leader Coach Leader was overjoyed with the result, saying “I am overjoyed with the result.”
“Our focus for a lot of the preseason was to develop our shape and how we want to play the game, rather than focus on fitness, and the foundations of that looked good”
“We will enjoy the win, and enjoy having a beer in their clubrooms tonight. But that’s where it ends, and we start building into next week” concluded Leader.
Captain Bradley added “We targeted the win and targeted some individuals in their team. We succeeded in hitting those targets and that’s exactly how we wanted to start the season.”
Several players were in the running for man of the match, however this award went to midfielder Richard North.
Next weekend Stags make the short journey down the A1 for a tie with St Neots. Kick off 3pm.
Picture Credits: with thanks to Paul Cox (St Ives RUFC)
