Cohesion starts to return as pre-season match ups start

In the second of their joint training sessions with other clubs, the Bulls squad travelled to Shelford to take on Saffron Walden in a training match on the artificial pitch. Pitch availability meant the game was a short one, but still valuable to both teams which were able to try out various combinations.
With kicking being eschewed by both sides, the defences of both were well tested.
Ives were pinned in their own 22 for much of the first period, but some tremendous tackling kept the guests at bay.
The second period saw the Bulls show off various facets of their attacking game. Ollie Raine burst through a gap on the halfway line and made his way upfield. His deft pass to the supporting Cullan Smy saw the latter put the first points on the board.
With ball handling under pressure due to the firm defence of both sides, there were many scrums. The Bulls pack gained the ascendancy and after a series of punishing scrums was awarded a penalty try (though John Naylor may try to claim it).
The best was saved until last. Keeping the ball alive on their own 22, Ives finally broke the gain line as Tom Watts galloped to halfway. Ben Fleming then scorched to the opposition 22, Naylor completed an audacious between-the-legs pass to Matt Wood in support, the ball finally finding its way to club debutant Paul Sharma who dotted down.
The Bulls next pre-season outing will be under lights at Cantabs on Wednesday 21st, when more of the squad will have returned to the fray as the season approaches.