Ives failure to get off the bus costs dear

St. Ives suffered a poor preparation for what was always likely to be a tough game as the long journey was exacerbated by sat-nav malfunctions. As a result, Belgrave took full advantage of a lacklustre start to the match by their visitors.
Three early scores to the hosts came from very good support play to which the Ives defence had no answer.
Having shaken off the journey, Ives began to claw their way back into the contest. The set-piece stabilised, and Ives began to secure primary possession. Half backs Joe Cox and John Naylor began to get the big Ives runners into the game. The Bulls were unlucky on occasion when the hosts managed to knock the ball from Ives possession close to their own line.
An unfortunate end to the half for the travellers, saw the hosts add two scores in quick succession after all Ives hard work.
Half time 29-0
With a mountain to climb, Ives started the second half superbly.
Shaun Mundy rose to claim excellent line out ball, the ball was whipped out to Paul Ashbridge whose line took him through the first up defence. A foot race saw him beat the rest to score. Cox converted the try.
Belgrave’s response was immediate as some ill-discipline in the Bulls ranks gave them penalties and territory. After a series of mauls, they crashed over in the corner.
Again, Ives responded well. Good continuity saw them make their way upfield. Having played with patience and good ball control, Mitch Newman was able to release Warwick Brittany on the touchline. Brittany, who was an attacking threat all afternoon, still had work to do, but scorched past the remaining defence with very little room to manoeuvre. Cox did the honours with the conversion.
Whilst still well ahead, Belgrave were beginning to feel the pressure. There followed a bizarre few minutes when high tackles, persistent breakdown infringements and back chat led to no less than three players seeing yellow.
Ives played with ball in hand and pounded the remaining Belgrave defence, which held up stoutly until Ashbridge finally crashed over. Cox converted.
With at least a try bonus point in the offing, Ives began to play from anywhere. Sadly, with the game closing a loose ball was snaffled by the hosts who sprinted clear to add a rather unexpected gloss to their scoreline.
Ives were well aware that this was a game of what might have been. The second half showed that the progression of the last two weeks is still in evidence. Match day skipper Tommy Newman commented, “We have to take the positive things we did in the second half into next week and start the first half like we did the second!”