Ives go down to league leaders after dominating up front

Stewarts and Lloyds travelled to the Chick Shack keen to extend their 100% winning record so far this season. After a very close first half, it was only errors by Ives that led to a flattering scoreline for the visitors, whose celebrations illustrated they knew they had been in a much closer game.
Head Coach Paul Humphreys summed up the emotions well. “I felt we dominated S&L pretty much for most of the game. We dominated field position, the scrum, possession and our defence was comfortable and never really stretched. With five errors by us in attack, they end up getting five tries - 3 of which were interceptions.
There are lots of positives that we can take pride in but the harsh truth is. We never turned our dominance into a win. That's the bit, for me, that hurts the most.”
With the pitch the same bog as last week after heavy rain, the mud made a handling game difficult. Much of the game was thus a battle of strength between the forwards. As the game unfolded, it was clear that Ives had the advantage in the scrum. But S&L’s doggedness in defence kept them out.
With no score as the half hour elapsed, S&L finally got towards the Ives lines as the hosts were penalised at the breakdown. A smartly taken pick and go saw the opening score.
From the kick off, Ives were on the attack. S&L relieved the pressure by hoofing a long ball downfield. Ives failed to gather it and a simply try ensued for the winger.
As the half closed, the Bulls put together a fine period of continuity. Narrowing the defence, the ball was spun wide for Cullan Smy to score in the corner. Paul Ashbridge took over the kicking duties from the unfortunately injured Mitch Newman and struck a fine conversion from the touchline.
Half time 7-10 and all to play for.
The third quarter saw Ives dominant in all areas of the game except the scoreboard. The pack to a man was carrying hard and making yards. Scrums were owned regardless of who was putting in. But no score occurred.
It was therefore a sucker punch to concede try from the first serious attack by S&L in the second half. The stand off, who had a fine game, chipped the onrushing Bulls and sprinted past the cover defence to touch down.
Once again, Ives bullied their way upfield to the visitors’ 22. Forcing the game was their undoing as a pass was intercepted and the S&L winger ran the length of the field to score.
With time running out and Ives desperate to take something from the game in which they had more than held their own, another forced pass gifted the substitute winger for S&L a clear run to the line.
With all converted, S&L ran out winners 31-7, a scoreline which flattered them somewhat.