There was a large and boisterous crowds at Tregorrick to watch the first Cornish derby of the new season against St Ives. The Hakes had won their first 2 games and deservedly sat on top of the league with the maximum 10 points and travelled full of confidence.

A nervy start with mistakes from both sides as each struggled to assert their authority brought the first chance of points after 4 minutes when Cav Boyer continued his good kicking converting a penalty from 35 m when the visitors fell offside at a scrum ( 4 mins 3 – 7 )

The Saints secured the kick off and went through a series of phases recycling well with strong running between forwards and backs. The Hakes were defending well denying Saints yardage and just as it looked as if they would break through a Saints knock on was handled in an off-side position and St Ives brought the game back level. ( 7 mins 3 – 3 )

This seemed to spur the Saints on and they began to lift the tempo in their game. A penalty for a St Ives infringement was kicked to touch and following well-secured lineout ball, centre George Tregilgas once again skipped through his way through to dot down under the post. Boyer mopped up the extras ( 12 mins 10-3 )

After 17 minutes St Ives once again infringed by driving in from the side and Boyer kicked another decent penalty ( 17 mins 13 – 3 ) After 24 minutes veteran Andy Ashwin left the field to be replaced by Dan Jane, another promising youngster. The rest of the half followed a familiar but no less exciting routine with Saints battering away at a well-marshalled St Ives defence with no further scores.

The Saints half time team talk focussed on eliminating the silly errors and playing at a higher tempo, that is exactly what Saints delivered. With their pack dominant in both scrum and lineout they turned the screw effectively with much of the second period played in their opponents half.

The pressure applied by the Saints in all areas of the pitch resulted in penalties converted by Cav Boyer in the 45 and 63 minute taking the score to 19-3. With time running out St Ives were forced to chance their arm to try to get back in the game but under severe Saints pressure George Knowles thrust out a meaty hand to make the interception and stroll under the posts converted by Boyer. ( 70 mins 26-3)

The game ended with Saints in the ascendancy as Cav Boyer kicked one final penalty to take the score to 29-3 and seal an emphatic victory. ( 78 mins 29 – 3 )

This was a thrilling game with 2 heavyweight packs and nimble backs slugging it out with no quarter asked or given. The Saints knew that they had to win the forward battle to stand any chance and against strong opponents that is what they did.