ST Ives had to call off their eagerly-awaited second round Intermediate Cup game with Penryn at the Memorial Ground last Saturday.

They informed Penryn late on Thursday evening that they were unable to raise sufficient front row players. The current rules require that in RFU cup competitions each team must have, amongst the team and the four replacements, five players capable of playing in the front row. This includes the hooker of course, but nevertheless is a difficult problem to overcome when there is a shortage of props throughout the county, and indeed, nationwide.

Only the previous week Hornets officials were telling their Borough counterparts of the same problem existing in Somerset, but there must be some concern that all three Intermediate Cup fixtures in Cornwall and Devon resulted in walk-overs.

Any club that fails to fulfil a cup fixture is automatically excluded by the RFU from the following season's National Cup Competitions, so St Ives will be unable to participate in the RFU Intermediate Cup in season 2004/5 which is quite a blow.

Penryn have been drawn at home to Cinderford in the next round on November 15.

After the disappointment of last week's cup cancellation, the Borough now look forward to Saturday's home league game with Taunton, who visit The Memorial Ground for the first time since the 1999/2000 season. At the end of that season Taunton were relegated to Western Counties North, although they bounced back up when Penryn were relegated to Western Counties (West) at the end of the 2000/1 season.

The match will kick off at 3 pm. The players should meet at 1.30 pm.

The Borough are in the fortunate position of having several players challenging for 1st XV selection, and with familiar faces returning from injury and non availability the selection committee face a very difficult task, not that selection is easy in any club in any sport.

The club is fortunate, indeed, to have a strong squad, because there are many tough matches that lay ahead in the season.

With this in mind Borough have chosen a squad of players and will make a final choice towards the end of the week.

Squad: Dave Pascoe, Alan Richards, Chris Mann, Nick Brown, Nick Brown, Mike Slater, Sheldon Waetford, Darren Pellow, James Greville-Smith, Peter Webster, Richard Hambly, Martin Strick, Darren Jacques, Sam Harrison, Steve Patterson, Andy Day, Brett Whitmill, Darren Stanley, Ashley Lawton, Justin Doney, Allen Jordan, James Mann, Ben Short (capt), Tristan Lark, Richard Burns and Nick Searle.

The 2nd XV have a merit table fixture with Camborne at Camborne and will choose from a squad after the 1st XV squad is finalised.

Having beaten Truro two weeks ago the stage is set for another keenly fought match. It has ben said before, but the Cornwall 2nd XV Merit Table is a response to players' needs for more competition.

Next season it is hoped to increase the amount of 2nd XV competition, so again players are asked to support the club The team will meet at the club at 1 pm.

Squad: S Allen, A Bowers, T Beard, M Berks, B Birkett, A Bowers, A Booth, T Carroll, J Cremin, M Coulls, M Coles, M Dennison, L Grunwell, C Harris, N Head, P Hodge, J Holroyd, M Parsons, G Pond, M Jordan, T Lampshire, C Morris, M Mullins, J Stapleton, A Stratton, R Tresidder, S Trevelyan, S Trevor, R Kitchener, P Webster, M Williams, and S Uphill.