Ives outscore Queens ten tries to five

Head coach summed up the bizarre nature of the game, which was played under lights on the 4G pitch at the Athletic ground. “It was a perplexing game and I have mixed emotions. Frustration with our defence and the ease with which Queens opened us up at times. When we got set and communicated, we were in control and they did not trouble us too much. Then for some reason we’d switch off and Queens’ attack punished us.
“Then the joy of our attack, which we know will score tries and punish teams. When we control the ball, play with our shape and tempo, which we did at times, we then go on to score heavy. We ran in some very good tries.
“I’d call it a 6 out 10 performance. We showed glimpses of our potential, and it will be really interesting to see what this team can achieve if we get to 9 or 10 out of 10!”
The match was notable for flurries of scores as both sides struggled to maintain strong defence throughout. Starting poorly, Ives gifted Queens possession and their rapid backs created space for a score in the corner.
Ives responded immediately after a searing break by Rees Burns was supported by Michael Sykes, Ollie Bartlett on hand to complete the score.
Queens had a good twenty-minute spell, scoring two tries, one through an overlap, the other a fortuitous ricochet which landed in the hands of the hosts yards from Ives’ line.
Finally appearing to shake off the journey, Ives had their own half hour purple patch before and after halftime. Crashing runs by Paul Ashbridge gained territory. Good continuity saw Adam Williams and Ashbridge score tries.
Following a bullocking run by Dan De’Ath, Matt Millar did well to roll through a tackle and score.
The momentum continued after the break with Burns the beneficiary. He then turned provider, forcing a turnover and whipping the ball wide for Albiee Tayedzerwa to dart through a gap to score.
With Queens defence now at sixes and sevens, Adam Williams ran through a gap to score and seemingly put Ives out of sight.
The hosts had other ideas as first an excellent cross field kick was gathered by the winger to score. Then from the kick off, Ives switched off and allowed the full back space to run the length of the field to raise the tension once more.
With less than ten minutes to go, the Bulls put the game beyond doubt with three further tries as Queens finally tired. Williams secured his hattrick, Jack Hickman’s tireless efforts were rewarded as he was in support to go over and Burns added the icing on the final whistle.
With six conversions, Joe Cox took the score beyond 60.