St Ives RFC
Alexandra Road St Ives Cornwall
(01736) 795346
Club News
Sat 26th Jan
Blues go down to biggest defeat of season at home
St. Ives 3 v 61 Cleve
On an uncharacteristic January afternoon, sunny and without any wind, Cleve moved up to third place in South West One when they inflicted St Ives’ worst league defeat of the season at Alexandra Road.
The defeat would have been much bigger had their backs had not been so greedy and they converted more than three of the eleven tries that they scored.
The St Ives team cannot be criticised, they played with plenty of spirit and retained possession for long periods but the smaller forwards were completely out muscled by their bigger opponents and the outsides were unable to cope with the sheer physical presence and pace of the visiting backs.
Such is the shortage of players at St Ives that Saturday’s team only included four players in the same positions, and another forward in the backs, that took the field in the opening league game of the season in September. More > > >
Wed 09/01/08
ST IVES IMPROVE BUT
STILL LOSE
ST IVES 8 OXFORD HARLEQUINS 20
St Ives produced a much better performance than their 72 - 3 defeat in November at Oxford but were still unable to prevent the Harlequins completing a South West One double.
Not for the first time, injuries and unavailability forced St Ives to field a make shift team. Versatile Marc Britton took over at scrum half for the first time this season in place of Stuart Turnbull, who was injured in the cup defeat at Wadebridge, and the unavailable Jamie Fish. Matt Thomas returned at outside half with Mark Sherris partnering James Earp in the centre. Rob Rowe, who has come on as replacement in several positions outside of the scrum, made his first league start of the season at full back. Luke Varney and Ben Taylor started in the front row with Ashley Lawton continuing in the second row in place of the unavailable Ben Sidgwick. More > > >
Wed 2/1/08
ST IVES CRASH OUT OF
CORNWALL CUP
After their big Boxing day win St Ives were brought down to earth with
bang when they were totally outplayed by two league lower Wadebridge
Camels, who produced the shock of the season and sent them crashing out
of the Skinners Cornwall Cup.
St Ives were the highest placed league team in the Skinners Cornwall Cup
and must have fancied their chances to pick up some silverware to make
up for their miserable league season, which sees them propping up the
South West One table with relegation appearing almost inevitable.
The loss will be a huge blow to the clubs finances as they will not
qualify for next season’s lucrative National trophy, which has put over
£10K in the clubs coffers over the past couple of years.
Any neutral spectators watching this game would have questioned which
club played their rugby at the higher level as the home side dished out
a lesson in tactics, skill and more importantly commitment.
More > > >
Wed 19/12/07
BOURNEMOUTH COMPLETE
DOUBLE OVER ST IVES
On their first ever visit to Bournemouth’s new ground at Chapel Gate St Ives faired much better than in the earlier home game when they lost by 37 points to 3 and were still in contention well into injury time when a late try sealed their fate.
The final scoreline flattered Bournemouth but still enabled them to complete the double and deny St Ives their first South West One away league point of the season.
When you are struggling things always seem to go against you. On Saturday St Ives had several chances in the second half and were very unlucky not to come away with a win after being in contention until the seond minute of added time when Bournemouth replacement James Flynn touched down their fourth try. More > > >
Wed 12/12/07
ANOTHER HEAVY DEFEAT FOR ST IVES
CHINNOR 77 ST IVES 0
St Ives suffered another heavy defeat on the road when 2nd place Chinnor ran in eleven tries against the depleted side, which was once again severely hit by injuries and unavailability.
Oxfordshire has not been happy place for St Ives, only a few weeks ago they suffered a 72 –3 defeat at the hands of Oxford Harlequins.
With experienced centres Steve Evans on holiday and James Earp ill they were so short in the outsides that recent signing Ashley Lawton, who rejoined the club from Falmouth as a replacement for number eight Michael Brook, who has returned to New Zealand, was forced to play in the centre. More > > >
Tue 27/11/07
ST IVES DRAW WITH THIRD PLACE WESTON
ST IVES 7 WESTON-SUPER-MARE 7
Playing with a lot of spirit St Ives held third place Weston-super-Mare to a well deserved draw to pick up their first league point, since their win over Coney Hill in the opening game of the season.
The St Ives side went through another major reshuffle. With both Matt Thomas and Mike Crump out injured, St Ives were forced to play the versatile ex-Basingstoke player Jamie Fish, normally a scrum half, at number 10. Josh Stevens came in a full back in place of the injured Marc Britton but on the plus side James Earp returned from injury to partner Steve Evans in the centre. Dave Bramwell took over from hooker Ben Taylor, who was unavailable. Louis Stevens, who missed the cup defeat against Ealing, partnered Richard Humphries in the second row in place of the injured Ben Sidgwick. Nigel Laity and Justin Paul retained their places in the back row. More > > >
Tue 20/11/07
BEST PERFORMANCE FOR WEEKS BUT ST IVES ARE KNOCKED OUT OF RFU TROPHY
Despite producing their best performance for several weeks St Ives bowed at the second round stage of the EDF National trophy against their league higher opponents but were unrecognisable as the same side that capitulated in the previous week's home league defeat against Bournemouth.
The injury jinx hit St Ives again with outside half Mike Crump breaking an elbow in the 3rd minute and just before half time centre Marc Britton following him to hospital after taking a heavy knock to his ribs and back.
Already decimated by injuries with skipper Louis Stevens, flanker Julian Hosking, player/coach John Navin, outside half Matt Thomas, centre James Earp already on the sidelines St Ives had hoped to rest scrum half Stuart Turnbull but competent replacement Jamie Fish was working in the morning and was held up in traffic getting to the ground for the earlier 2pm kick off. More > > >
Tue 14/11/07
TWO CRUEL BOUNCES COST ST IVES DEARLY
ST IVES 3 BOURNEMOUTH 37
In the basement battle of the South West One table Bournemouth took full advantage of a couple of cruel bounces to score two tries in the first half hour and never looked back.
St Ives, who were decimated by injuries, both prior to and during the game, allowed their confidence to drop after going ten points behind and unless they recruit quality players quickly the rest of the season looks decidedly bleak.
They were forced to reshuffle their side just before kick off when lock forward Richard Humphries and midweek signing centre Gary Ridge both withdrew. Aaron Benton moved from the bench into the second row and Ryan Bishop came in on the wing with Nick Hitchens moving into the centre. Versatile replacement Jamie Fish was also a late withdrawal from the replacements bench.
After the previous week’s big defeat at Oxford Harlequins the Hakes welcomed back captain Louis Stevens, backs coach Steve Evans, and full back Marc Britton from injury. More > > >
Tue 6/11/07
BIG DEFEAT SENDS ST IVES TO BOTTOM OF LEAGUE
OXFORD HARLEQUINS 72 ST IVES 3
St Ives slumped to the bottom of the South West One table as Oxford Harlequins ripped their inexperienced back line apart to score twelve tries and record their biggest ever league win.
Bournemouth’s 31 - 17 win over fellow strugglers Reading enabled them to leapfrog St Ives but with the Dorset club visiting Alexandra Road for the first time on Saturday St Ives may have the chance to jump back over them again.
Three clubs, Bournemouth, Reading and St Ives, have only won one game each but St Ives who have scored the least number of points and have had the most scored against them are propping up the league with Reading one place above them and Bournemouth in 10th place.
The recent close defeats against Reading and Maidenhead, when they had multiple chances to win, might haunt them later in the season.
Once again St Ives travelled with a depleted side. Only two of the outsides, scrum half Stuart Turnbull and full back Nick Hitchens, played the previous week against Maidenhead. Skipper Louis Stevens was missing and loan-signing prop Richard Hosking picked up an injury midweek and was withdrawn by Henley Hawks. More > > >
Tue 30/10/07
Blues lose out in low scoring affair
St Ives outside half Matt Thomas, who was already carrying a leg injury, had the chance to snatch victory in the final minute but his conversion attempt from the touchline sailed just outside of the uprights and Maidenhead hung on for a single point victory.
St Ives scored the only try of the game but still slipped to next-to-bottom of the league as Maidenhead kicked a penalty in each half to extend their winning sequence over their Cornish opponents.
The home forwards, with loan signing Richard
Humphries making his home debut, put in a much-improved performance.
Against the elements in the first half they retained possession and made
considerable ground up field with disciplined forward drives.
More > > >
Wed 24/10/07
Blues still looking for first away win
CLEVE 55 ST IVES 8
On their second visit to Bristol within a week St Ives were unable to repeat their success over the Harlequins in the National cup and are still looking for their first away league win of the season.
Cleve found some of last season’s form, which took them into the South West One play-off position, where they lost to Ealing, who are St Ives’ forthcoming opponents in the National trophy.
Injuries forced St Ives to make several changes following the previous weeks win over Bristol Harlequins. Missing from the side was skipper Louis Stevens and backs coach Steve Evans but midweek loan signing Richard Hoskings, the former Mounts Bay player who joined Henley Hawks pre–season, was included in the front row. Josh Stevens came into the centre with Stuart Turnbull taking over the scrum half role.
The
kick-off was brought forward to 2 o’clock because of the Rugby World Cup
final but it took only a minute for the home side to get their first
points on the scoreboard when centre James Golledge crossed for outside
half Scott Simmons to convert.
More > > >
Wed 10/10/07
LEAGUE LEADERS TOO STRONG FOR ST IVES
ST IVES 3 BRACKNELL 36
St Ives held Bracknell to a seven-point interval lead before the South West One league leaders stepped up a gear in the second half scoring four tries to maintain their unbeaten record.
The final scoreline was a little unfair to St Ives as they competed for most of the match against this season’s promotion favourites but the visitor’s heavier mobile forwards eventually gained superiority and supplied quality ball for their big and speedy outsides to breach the tiring St Ives defence.
St Ives included midweek signings Jamie Fish, formerly with Basingstoke, and Nick Hitchens, from Mounts Bay. Fish, who is a chef at Rick Steins, started in the centre in place of the unlucky James Earp, who damaged his hand the previous week. Prop Hugh Noott returned from injury with Justin Paul, who had an impressive game the previous week, continuing at flanker with skipper Louis Stevens moving up into the second row.
The visitors were without their influential player coach Chris Sheasby, who was in Marseilles reporting on the England World Cup quarter- final for Radio Berkshire, but still made regular calls from his mobile during the game. More > > >
Sun 30/09/07
BLUES LOSE OUT ON TRAVELS AGAIN
REDINGENSIANS 21 ST IVES 11
On their first ever visit to Redingensians the inexperienced St Ives team, containing several players making their starting debuts, faired much better than anticipated going down by only ten points against last year’s South West Two East champions.
Due to injuries and unavailability St Ives had difficulty fulfilling their front row requirements and were forced to name hooker Dave Bramwell as their only front row replacement. Fortunately both props, Luke Varney and Paul Hodges, managed to get through the game without injury.
In a last minute reshuffle skipper Louis Stevens, who was recovering from injury and not 100% fit, sat on the bench but was not used. Also missing were backs coach, Steve Evans, not recovered from an injured ankle, and Kiwi number eight Michael Brooke. More > > >
Tue 25/09/07
ST IVES LOSE OUT IN A THRILLER
ST IVES 17 READING 22
In a thrilling game an unconverted try midway through the second half gave Reading their first win of the season after St Ives drew level with a devastating five minute scoring burst either side of the interval.
Player/coach John Navin, whose calf injury has prevented him starting for St Ives this season, was very disappointed after he watched his young side peg back a seventeen point deficit but still lose.
The former Redruth captain watched his team match the try count with three apiece but then fail to take three clear-cut chances in the final quarter to secure the league points.
After the previous week’s heavy defeat at Old Patesians St Ives made several changes, James Earp and Ian Veal came into the three-quarter. Luke Varney was joined in the front row by Doug Wood, a recent signing from Hayle, and hooker David Bramwell, veteran Nigel Laity came in on the open side in place of the unavailable Julian Hosking. More > > >
Tue 18/09/07
SAINTS GET AWAY TO BAD START ON AWAY TRIP
Old Pastesians 56 v 0 1st XV
After the previous weeks comparatively easy win over Coney Hill expectations were high as St Ives travelled to Cheltenham to meet the Old Patesians for the first time in a competitive fixture.
The home side were relegated from National Three South last season and drew their opening league game, twenty four points apiece, at Oxford Harlequins but it took very little time to realise that the young light St Ives forwards would not be able to contain the experienced and big home pack.
St Ives were forced to make a couple of changes from the previous weekend. Marcus Bassett replaced the injured Aussie wing Terry Preston, Julian Hosking moved to hooker allowing the former Redruth flanker Dean Rainey to make his debut in St Ives colours. More > > >
Sun 09/09/07
ST IVES OFF TO WINNING START
St. Ives 27 v 3 Coney Hill
New look St Ives crossed for four
tries and kept their line intact to defeat Coney Hill, whose South West
One baptism was made more difficult by a succession of serious injuries.
The game was held for over half an hour at the interval when replacement Simon Ellicott, who only been on the field for 5 minutes, sustained a neck injury and was transferred to hospital by Air Ambulance, which landed on the pitch.
St Ives fielded a very young front five and only two of the outsides, scrum half Stuart Turnbull and centre Mark Sherris, played in last years league campaign.
The home side started strongly and almost scored from the kick off but from the resultant penalty outside half Mark Thomas slotted over 30 metre-angled kick. More > > >
Tue 05/08/07
ST IVES WIN FINAL GAME BEFORE LEAGUE CAMPAIGN STARTS
St. Ives 18 v 12 Broadstreet
Injuries marred St Ives win over their Midlands One opponents as the new look side, containing nine summer signings, came from behind to score two tries in the final quarter
Broadstreet, who traveled down from Coventry early on Saturday, were a very physical side and with crunching tackles coming in from both sides the first aid men were kept very busy
Three first choice players had to be replaced. Skipper Louis Stevens only lasted until midway through the first half when he was replaced by veteran Nigel Laity. Five minutes before the interval prop Hugh Noott followed with Rob Wills coming on in the front row and midway through the second period former Redruth player Aaron Benton replaced new player/coach John Navin.
St Ives fielded a very young side containing only six players who were on the books last season. Aussie centre Terry Preston made his debut partnering backs coach Steve Evans in the centre. Former Bay lock forward Richard Humphries packed down in the second row with young Ben Sidgwick, formerly with Redruth. The Cornish Pirates kicking coach Mike Crump lined-up at outside half. The team also included former Pirates Colts, winger Jack Eddy and hooker Ben Taylor, and Marc Britton, another young player from Redruth at full back.
First half play was dire and uninspiring with Broadstreet in front by three points at the interval, outside half Dan Richards knocking over a brace of penalties with outside half Mike Crump replying for St Ives. More > > >
Tue 17/07/07
Key signing arrives at St. Ives
St Ives RFC 's squad was strengthened this week by the signing of former Mounts Bay centre Steve Evans, the first of Jon Navin's key targets for the coming season.
Steve has been an important part of the Bay's climb up the promotion ladder but has seenthis as the time to face a new challenge. He will form part of Head Coach Jon Navin's new management team working with the backs. Jon said, “ The experience that Steve brings to our exiting new back line will prove invaluable in moulding a team to carry St Ives forward in their quest to bring National League Rugby to Alexandra Road”. This is the first of several planned high profile signings over the next few weeks including a number of quality overseas players.
Training has started this week with a well attended, timed fitness trial at the local school. All are welcome at future sessions, meeting at the club, on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6.45pm.
Head coach Jon Navin welcomes new player/coach Steve Evans to Alexandra Road.
Mon 11/06/07
Navin appointed new player-coach
Local boy John Navin has taken over as player-coach after Ian Sanders stepped down following three successful seasons at the helm.
Back row forward Navin has returned to the club where he learnt his rugby after 10 years at Redruth. He will be aiming to build on the foundations laid by Sanders, who said he had to give up the position because of business and personal commitments, but still intended to help out at the club when he could.
During his three years in charge the club have won two promotions moving from Western Counties West to South West 1 where they finished in mid table last season. Sanders also stressed that the parting had been entirely amicable contrary to some local speculation.
Navin who has also played for Cornwall, said he was excited about the prospect of taking over at his home town club. He was under contract at Redruth for another year, but the Reds agreed to release him to take up the St. Ives job. “I left on good terms and I hope to continue the good relationship between the two clubs.”
Promotion to the national leagues was the ambition, though he did not want to put a time limit on when that might be achieved. However he did reveal that the club hoped to announce major signing shortly and there would be a slightly different coaching set up with various coaching appointments to be made in the next couple of weeks. It was also announced that the club would be competing in the Dubai Sevens in December which Navin said was another incentive to join the ambitious club.
Pre-season training begins on July 3 and Navin can be contacted via the club.
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