If ever there was a “game of two halves”, this was it. Ives travelled to Rushden with a number of the new recently joined cohort of players in the ranks. They were looking forward to a close encounter with mid-table Rushden.
Unfortunately, they forgot to get off the bus until half time.
The first quarter will make painful watching in the defence training review during the week as Rushden ran amok with 5 tries. To make matters worse a collision between two Ives players saw Charlie Mandley leave the field and trek to A&E for some stitches.
The Bulls stemmed the tide, but Rushden managed another try before half time, making the score a daunting 40-0 to the hosts.
The second 40 minutes looked totally different. Whilst Rushden scored early, it was through fine play creating an overlap. The Ives defence stood up, with the backrow of Dave Sykes, Jack Hickman and Paul Ashbridge prominent.
Having weathered the storm, Ives began to play as a unit, putting the home defence under pressure. From a quickly taken tapped penalty, Josh Dear crashed over for a score.
Ives midfield defence was holding up. But wise heads in the Rushden backs altered the game plan and managed to round the defence again.
The last quarter of the match belonged to the Bulls. Declan O’Neill playing in the unaccustomed position of centre began to make ground. Across the park, support runners were in evidence to continue strong attacks.
Ives were rewarded with a try bonus point when in quick succession Ashbridge, O’Neill and teenager Henri Cole scored tries. Ashbridge was 100% off the tee, completing a fine display.
The coaching team was heartened by the spirit and cohesion displayed in the second half. The first half will be archived as the squad looks forward to visiting St. Neots on Saturday.