Ives come second, but put up brave display against a strong Shelford outfit

Shelford 5ths (ha!) 38 (or it may have been 43, my pen ran out…. Craig?), St. Ives 14
The Bulls may have had an inkling of the strength of their opposition beforehand on discovering that Shelford had only 1st XV and 5th XV fixtures on the day. Little wonder there were patterns of play in the Shelford ranks that would have graced higher sides ;-)
For many, gracing the new 3G pitch south of Cambridge was expected to be a delight after the mud bath victory of the previous week. The enthusiasm was tempered by the discovery that it was indeed like playing in the summer. Blooded knees were in evidence across the park!
Ives began the game exactly as they would not have wished. Receiving the kick off, they were exiting their own half, but in the story of the entire match, lost possession at the breakdown. Shelford used swift hands and feet to score without a break in play.
The next 35 minutes were very even. Ives were fleet of foot in attack, marshalled by half backs Ben Fleming and Joe Cox, but undone by a collective inability to hold on to the ball in the opposition red zone.
Shelford had some experienced backs and used them well to gain territory. It is only fair to mention that Shelford should have forged ahead. But, a knock on over the line and a dropped ball by the winger, who may have been showboating according to his bench colleagues, kept the lead to one score.
Just before half time, Ives were very close to scoring when Bradley Robinson received a taste of his own medicine and was clotheslined 5 metres from the line. The redeeming factor for Shelford was only that the full back was still present; otherwise a penalty try would undoubtedly have been awarded. As it was, the culprit was shown yellow, Ives ran the penalty, got turned over and Shelford closed the half with a length of the field try.
Half time 14-0
The Bulls were welcoming back from injury and retirement a welter of players who shone throughout the afternoon. Sometimes with play reminding all of yesteryear, sometimes with sweat on the brow. Whichever, it was a delight to see Russell Warrington, Graham Moffitt, Dave Sharp and Sunbed back in Bulls colours.
Shelford started the second half at a canter. A kick straight down the throat of the replacement full back was run back at pace for a score in the corner. A speculative chip bounced kindly and was gathered for another try. A turnover gave the hosts another opportunity.
But, the young and old Bulls girded their loins to ensure they had something to show for their efforts. Splendid support and continuity could only be stopped illegally. A dummy to the charging pack by Rob Olivier, a swift reverse pass to Cox and a grubber through saw the diminutive stand off cross under the posts to cap a fine individual performance.
Shelford found a gap from a scrum-5 to score another, before Ives swept upfield again. A quickly recycled ball saw Owen Miller cut a great line to stretch and score by the upright.
Attempting to get a third score, the Shelford 10 gambled on an interception, which came off for a rather fortuitous try.
The game had an odd traffic light effect to close as the arbiter first showed yellow to Sharp for a tackle caused when the runner leapt high and flipped himself. He then finally lost patience with the incessant chuntering in his ear from the home hooker and brandished red. The green piece was the unnatural colour in February from the pitch under the sun.
Ives live to fight another day, having shown fine spirit throughout the match.