Disappointed Ives allow lead to slip

St. Ives Nemesis came back to haunt them again at a sunny Somersham Road. Welcoming back Adam Smith, John Paxton and Mickey Drake in the three-quarters, plus Mickey Blackley in the 2nd row, Ives were confident from the outset.
In the first 90 seconds, Ives were pounding Casuals’ line, only for two chances to be floored. Undeterred, the Bulls stuck to their plans and were rewarded when quick hands by front rowers Josh Dear and Tommy Newman released Jack Blackley on the wing. Chipping the last man, he regathered and scored in the corner. Drake converted from wide out.
Casuals fought back with a penalty after a Bull was penalised for holding on.
Ives took a grip on the match and pegged Casuals back. Drake had certainly brought his kicking boots with him and two fine strikes stretched the lead. Greg Dale, who had a fine match all round, was released on the wing and brought down metres from the opposition line.
The home side remained patient and finally broke through once more when the indefatigable Ollie Bartlett looped round the back line to score in the corner.
The visitors were stung into action once more. With three of their own laying prone with knocks, they still managed to breach the home defence to score in the corner on the stroke of half time. 18-8.
Ives had played well, but knew they needed to fight for more. However, the first 10 minutes of the second half saw them switch off. First, following a decent kick forward by Drake, the normally reliable back field organisation went AWOL. The Casuals winger spotted this, kicking over into acres of space and following up to touch down.
A series of penalties then gave Casuals field position from which their pick and go drive resulted in an equalising score.
With thirty minutes still on the clock it was all to play for. Both sides tested the other and the game opened up with tiredness leading to missed tackles on both sides. Driving play from the aforementioned three-quarters, plus Michael Wright and Matt Wood up front could not gain enough ground for Ives.
Another penalty relieved the pressure for Casuals, and led to a most unfortunate try against the home side. Attempting to keep the touch kick in play, Ives merely managed to set the ball to the chasing Casuals winger. He grubbered the ball past the last man Drake, whose instinctive tug on the shirt led to the award of a penalty try and a yellow card for his troubles.
Casuals delight at the final whistle was mirrored only by Ives despair at what might have been.