Suffocating Bulls defence takes the venom away from Vipers

On a beautiful crisp sunny day, Ives made their way to Blaby for the eagerly awaited top-three clash against rivals Leicester Vipers. Results have been good for the Bulls in recent weeks, but the players knew they would face a stern test. So it proved, and they were delighted to come out on top.
Skipper Bartlett returned to the side and was a very happy man at the final whistle. “To come and play like we did today, taking the full five points from Vipers was beyond expectations. We’ll celebrate well tonight and look forward to next week’s challenge against Stockwood Park, who had a thumping win today. Bring it on.”
Ives started well from the kick off, playing well with ball in hand. Finding themselves with an early scrum opportunity just on the opposition 22, Bulls were under surprising pressure. Scrum half John Naylor, who troubled the Vipers all day, dug the ball from the base and released Albiee Tayedzerwa. For once not quite able to reach the whitewash, Tayedzerwa turned provider and offloaded to the supporting Naylor who dotted down in the corner.
The Bull tails were up and they attacked ferociously. A well worked 5 metre lineout almost saw Duncan Williams reach the line, but stout defence held him up.
Ives stuck to their patterns and gradually sucked in the home defence. With five men outside him, Paul Ashbridge chose to eschew them and instead step his opposite number. Having stepped away from his support, he realised he’d have to do it a couple more times, did so and stretched over for a fine individual try.
Vipers now came back into the game. With plentiful possession when relieving kick opportunities failed to reach touch, they worked hard to breach the Ives defence. A couple of gain line breaks followed, but the visitors scramble defence was up to the task. Both forwards and backs were throwing themselves into a great defensive display. They were also showing immense discipline at the breakdown, trusting their colleagues to knock over the next attacker.
Finally, a penalty was awarded for being off the feet at a breakdown and Vipers were on the board.
Still the pressure was mounted on the Ives. Managing to get to the half way line, a great try was scored when Mickey Drake took the ball to the line, releasing Ashbridge to charge through the defence. Reaching the last man, Drake was still in support and gleefully took the return pass from Ashbridge to score under the posts.
Half time 3-19.
The first few minutes off the second half saw Ives the team with opportunities. White line fever when overlaps were available chalked off one chance. On another occasion the final pass went to ground to the relief of the hosts.
Vipers also showed discipline in their game plan, but could find no way through the Bulls defence. Whatever they threw at the men in blue was repelled. As in the first half, possession statistics counted for nothing as the blue wall simply did not wilt.
Still Vipers playing with ambition, Vipers thought they had scored in the corner, only to be brought back to touch where the offending stud mark on the line was clear to see.
Breaking the siege, Bartlett signalled the importance of the result, choosing to hand the ball to Ashbridge when a penalty was awarded in front of the posts.
The Bulls defence choked the life out of all Vipers attacks. Another blitz saw the hosts lose the ball in midfield. Ashbridge swept it up and showed a clean pair of heels to score the bonus point try under the posts, adding his third conversion.
There was minor disappointment when the Bulls only managed to finish second in the post-match boat race. But, there was a feeling that Vipers deserved something out of the day, so congratulations to the hosts for their hospitality.
Coach Brown was also a contented man. “The lads all knew the importance of the result today. But, to achieve it with such a fine performance, taking their chances and preventing a try against, was very pleasing.”