Ives back to winning ways

In dank, murky conditions the game was played on a pitch sticky underfoot due to the recent weather.
The Bulls started at a gallop and immediately pinned BBOB in their own half. The pack enjoyed dominance in all set pieces with the front row of David Sharp, Tommy Newman and Josh Dear exerting extreme pressure on their opposite numbers. In the lineout, Ollie Bartlett and Josh Meadows soared like salmon to secure first rate ball. In the end, BBOB gave up competing and resorted instead to attempting to prevent driving mauls.
Penalties were awarded to St. Ives Dear immediately opted for set piece rather than points. From one scrum, Ives swept play left, right and again left. Ultimately, the hosts’ defence was stretched to breaking point and Paul Ashbridge was left with space to trot over in the corner. He added the extras with a fine conversion from wide out.
Mickey Drake was playing an astute game at outside half. With the decent possession offering young George Peacock a platform, Drake was able to choose his moments to release the back line or pin the opposition back with raking kicks.
A couple of chances went begging for the Bulls as loose or over eager play saw passes go astray or the outside line overrun possession. But, the pressure was telling. A series of lineouts following penalties took Ives close to the line. A driving maul was trundled to the line and Duncan Williams sprinted the last 50cm to score the second converted try.
BBOB were playing slide defence to good effect for some minutes. Finally, after another period of good continuity, Alex Henly straightened the attack in the centre and cantered over untouched for a converted try.
Ives had opportunities to secure the bonus point before halftime, with some good runs out of defence by Jack Blackley and Will Nelson. But, in a sign of things to come, decision making at crucial times meant opportunities petered out.
Half time 0-21.
An enforced change occurred at the changeover as Stuart Cornwell had suffered a head knock and was replaced by veteran Jim Robinson as a precautionary measure.
Despite being three tries and a couple of props down, BBOB began the second half well. Aided by an absence of clear thinking by the visitors, Brigade spent the first 30 minutes of the half in Ives’ territory. Defensively, Ives were good value. The back row of Bartlett, Ollie Raine and Meadows were indefatigable in their duties, abetted by Matt Wood.
A particularly grumpy coach Brown was heard by the travelling support and subs to practise much colourful language on the touchline as good defensive sets were undone by the concession of daft penalties or lack of execution at key moments.
Whereas in the first half, possession had been converted to territory by St. Ives, they were unable to break the shackles. A potentially relieving kick did not find touch, and chasing players were offside. From the penalty, BBOB kicked to the corner and after a series of forays, got over the line wide out.
With ten minutes remaining, the Bulls snapped out of their torpor and began to assert themselves once more. Driving mauls and continuity finally gained a foothold in the opposition half. Brigade were still giving their all in defence, but were unceremoniously marched back to within 5 metres of their line.
It mattered not that nobody noticed the St. Ives backline was effectively unopposed beyond the 12 channel as the pack had rekindled their dominance and pounded the hosts’ line. Finally the defence was breached and David Sharp grounded the ball for the bonus point try.
The Bulls face another stern test next week when they host Northampton Casuals at the Chicken Shack. Coach Brown reflected after the game that St. Ives had exerted dominance for long periods, but somehow managed to keep Brigade in the game. Individual decision making at key moments is improving, but will need to be even sharper next week.