The winter equinox is definitely here, along with the weather, but happy days its the RUGBY SEASON!!

The visit of Northampton Old Scouts came at a time when we had a few noticeable absentees, Sam on D of E (we need to have a little word with the Army about their choice of dates in the Rugby season) Isaac on a jolly to Dorset ( I need to have a word with his parents about holidays in the rugby season) and Alex who had an injury (Bicep, calves and girlfriend, we need to have a little chat about this BUTTERS!!!)

With still a strong team the absentees saw Jack playing the role of flanker and Max back to a familiar 8 position. We also welcomed a new player to the team, Ed Simson has came to the team with a can do attitude and willingness to learn. Welcome to the family.

At kick off the conditions were atrocious, good forward playing rugby!! We conceded early with a little handling error and conversion kicked, the kick off was better and from this we dominated the scrum and breakdown, this in turn saw a quick set of hands from Owen, Jonah, Fin and Arlan to Will, he pinned back his ears, showed his illusive side and scorched away in for a cracking try started in our half!! Kicked by Owen 7-7.

The rest of the half was scrappy, we held our own, with conceding 2 tries towards the end, only 1 converted and one charged down by Jack!!
The half was tinged by an injury, Fin (Captain for the day) sustained a minor knock to his head in a tackle, he rallied well but next play got caught the wrong side of a tackle and took a blow to his head. He was replaced by Ed as per the Head injury guidance and a reshuffle was needed.

2nd half line up
Bobby the beast Bates. Josh the bosh Hickman. Mahid maneater Hussein
Callum the jackel Watts Dan gday mate Allen
Jack in a box Mercer. Max the monster Chamberlain.Frank britains strongest teenager Taylor
Owen the terrier Dollard. Jonah snake hips Charles. Arlan the deceptive Dare. Will billy whizz Parsons. Axel destroyer of men Taylor. Ed speedmachine Simson and Rupert the swiss army knife Thackery.
Sub Eli the man mountain Moreton

The second half was plagued by minor injuries, Owen (thumb) had to be moved due to his passing restrictions, Dan (Jaw) moved to 8 with Frank moving to 4 and Rupert to scrum half.

This is where we lost our shape, we got turned over in the breakdown consistently by a well drilled team. The highlight of the half was a phenomenal break by Ed on our halfway, he broke multiple tackles and screamed in for a try under the posts. Converted by Owen

The boys conceded a few in the second half but the boys tried their hardest to keep in it, they tackled like demons, but lack of possession led to a final score of St Ives 14 Old Scouts 40.

Honourable mentions
1. Ed: Scoring a try, tackling and chasing well and getting the deserved MoM award
2. Jack on playing in an unfamiliar position, taking every lineout and charging the conversion down.
3. Eli and his strength in the scrum
4. Daniel Allan with his bull dozing runs and handling in wet conditions
5. Axel now developing his attacking skills coupled with his tackling
6. Max playing 8 again

I could pick features of every players game that we were proud of! But I am sure you are bored of my report now!

Onwards and upwards, we have a very bright future!

Jeff