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Sat 21 Nov 2015 · Midlands 3 East (South)
Stewarts & Lloyds
1st XV Men
Tries: N Gusto (4)Conversions: N Gusto (3)Yellow Carded: N Gusto, N Other
26
3
Penalties: J Robinson
Back to earth with a bump
Phil Brown22 Nov 2015 - 13:23
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S&L take advantage of lack of intensity during sin-bins
After a tremendous performance last time out, Ives started with confidence against apparently tense hosts. With temperatures just above zero and a swirling wind, local knowledge was ultimately telling.
Bullocking runs by the Ives pack from the off drove S&L back into their own half. Michael Wright, Duncan Williams and the in-form Matt Wood were again prominent and causing the S&L defence problems. The Bulls could only turn the pressure into one penalty after the first quarter.
S&L then came back into the game with strong running themselves, but the Bulls defence held firm. The game became a little tetchy and towards the end of the half two yellows were issued to the hosts’ hooker and 2nd row.
The period of playing against 13 men was the turning point of the match. Having played so well for the first half, albeit for little reward, Ives took their feet from the pedals. The hosts gained confidence having got through the 11 minutes scoreless.
Making good use of the wind and slope, the home 10 kept Ives pinned in their own half. Even when making good ground into the opposition half the Bulls’ decision making, which had been so good 7 days earlier, let them down and allowed S&L relief. Overlaps went begging and the ball was taken into contact unnecessarily.
Unusually this season, the Ives pack was on the back foot. S&L took advantage and four close in mauls resulted in tries. Two were touched down through the forwards. The others when the ball was finally released to the S&L right wing.
The latter was bizarrely denied what would probably have been a deserved hattrick. As Ives threw caution to the strong wind, he intercepted a long hopeful pass. Somehow the referee deemed that in catching it he had knocked the ball on. To the surprise of all a scrum was awarded to the Bulls who finished well, back to the first half style and driving their opponents upfield.
Congratulations to 17 year old Benn Dixon, making his senior debut as replacement.
The visitors were left to rue the 20 minute period when they relaxed, so know exactly how to correct the mindset for next week’s trip to Sleaford in the Cup.
Bullocking runs by the Ives pack from the off drove S&L back into their own half. Michael Wright, Duncan Williams and the in-form Matt Wood were again prominent and causing the S&L defence problems. The Bulls could only turn the pressure into one penalty after the first quarter.
S&L then came back into the game with strong running themselves, but the Bulls defence held firm. The game became a little tetchy and towards the end of the half two yellows were issued to the hosts’ hooker and 2nd row.
The period of playing against 13 men was the turning point of the match. Having played so well for the first half, albeit for little reward, Ives took their feet from the pedals. The hosts gained confidence having got through the 11 minutes scoreless.
Making good use of the wind and slope, the home 10 kept Ives pinned in their own half. Even when making good ground into the opposition half the Bulls’ decision making, which had been so good 7 days earlier, let them down and allowed S&L relief. Overlaps went begging and the ball was taken into contact unnecessarily.
Unusually this season, the Ives pack was on the back foot. S&L took advantage and four close in mauls resulted in tries. Two were touched down through the forwards. The others when the ball was finally released to the S&L right wing.
The latter was bizarrely denied what would probably have been a deserved hattrick. As Ives threw caution to the strong wind, he intercepted a long hopeful pass. Somehow the referee deemed that in catching it he had knocked the ball on. To the surprise of all a scrum was awarded to the Bulls who finished well, back to the first half style and driving their opponents upfield.
Congratulations to 17 year old Benn Dixon, making his senior debut as replacement.
The visitors were left to rue the 20 minute period when they relaxed, so know exactly how to correct the mindset for next week’s trip to Sleaford in the Cup.
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