Chosen Hill F.P. 32 St Ives 3

Another fine all round team performance in which they scored four well worked tries saw Chosen Hill’s rise up the table continue as they powered to a comprehensive and maximum bonus points victory over visiting St Ives.
Playing down the slope St Ives opened the scoring after just eight minutes when player/coach Ian Morgan slotted over a penalty goal after Chosen were caught off-side at a ruck, but Chosen responded in the best possible way when ten minutes later fly-half Andy King sent a penalty kick into the corner for a line-out five metres out. The ball was secured and the forwards drove towards the line with second row Marc Riddel powering over for the try. King missed the conversion but five minutes later he landed a penalty goal after the visitors were penalised for a high tackle.
With half time approaching the visitors were still very much in the match using their big forwards to launch numerous attacks up the middle of the park and only some outstanding defence kept them at bay as they searched for a try to level the scores. On forty minutes Morgan missed a penalty goal attempt but with the last play of the half Chosen increased their lead to eight points when King landed his second penalty goal.
With the advantage of the slope, Chosen started the second half in confident mood and after fifty minutes they scored one of their best tries of the season.
The forwards, refreshed by the introduction of replacements Dave Revell, Chris Dallard and Dean Barnard, secured the ball near the half way line and number eight Ian Riddel made good ground before releasing the ball to his backs who combined well to give right winger Ed Higgs the opportunity to display his outstanding finishing skills. The diminutive youngster made no mistake as he powered over in the corner with King adding the extras.
Errors began to creep into the visitors game as the hosts continued to turn the screws and minutes later a high tackle on Higgs resulted in a sin-binning for the St Ives second row. Whilst he was off the pitch, Chosen added their third try as another break from number eight Riddel set up skipper King who dummied and jinked his way over near the posts and then added the conversion.
With the game effectively secure, Chosen went searching for the bonus point forth try and it arrived with just ten minutes remaining.
A break from scrum-half John Wand saw the ball carried on by both King and inside centre Max Hough before it was released to young outside centre Jon Coles who broke through two attempted tackles and then raced in to score. King added the conversion to take his team’s tally above the thirty point mark and close out the match.
The result sets Chosen up nicely in mid table and next week they make the relatively short trip down the M5 to Bristol for a match against third placed Old Redcliffians.