Tough day for depleted Ives

In what continues to be a tough season for St. Ives any plans non-availabilities and injuries meant ten changes to the previous week’s starting 15, including positional.
Nonetheless, there was absolutely nothing between the sides for the first 30 minutes. This was reinforced when Bugbrooke opted for an attempt at goal having failed to breach the Bull’s defence, in which returnee Max Flint was outstanding.
Ives were unable to build on some enterprising approach play, despite strong running through both forwards and backs.
After the half hour, Bugbrooke sustained pressure and finally breached the stout Ive defence with an score in the corner, well converted against the wind.
As the half ended, Bugbrooke managed another score after a break up the wing.
The extra score belied the evenness of the competition at that point, half time 15-0.
The second half started with some great fortune for the hosts. A speculative kick by the scrum half took a wicked bounce away from the covering Ives defender and into the arms of the home winger, who had followed up more in hope than expectation.
As time ran on, Ives had fewer chances of their own and, with late withdrawals emptying the bench, had no fresh legs to put on.
The hosts took advantage with four further tries before the final whistle.
Head Coach Paul Humphreys said after the game, “That was another tough day at the office. The boys can be proud of the performance they put in. Especially the lads we called in a short notice, who did not let themselves down. Max Flint had a cracking game at fullback, and Tom Mellor stood up well at hooker.”
Ives move on with focus on next week’s match against fellow strugglers Dunstablians.