Boelo did its utmost to spoil the clash between table toppers Ives and second-placed Stewarts & Lloyds. But with both teams fighting hard for supremacy it was a tight encounter.
S&L could not have made a better start. Turning over the possession from the kick off, they converted possession into points, scoring in the corner in the first two minutes.
Over twenty set pieces in each half showed how difficult the conditions were to play in. Both teams tried to keep the ball in hand, but freezing hands and the wet ball meant many could not keep possession.
Playing against the tide in the first half, Ives mounted a concerted effort and got to the S&L red zone. From a scrum, Dan Hawkins delightfully shimmied his way through the visitors’ defence to score. Charlie Mandley converted.
With the half in the last seconds, Ives momentarily relaxed to grant S&L territory and possession. Unable to breach the defence head on, the S&L stand-off chipped and the wing gathered the Garryowen to score.
Half time 7-12.
Any thoughts of an easy ride for the hosts playing with the storm were banished as S&L began well in the second half. Whilst they were able to keep hold of the ball, the Ives defence was stout, the visitors never managing to reach the Ives 22.
Getting their multi-phase play together as the third quarter was closing, the Bulls laid siege to the S&L line. S&L could only prevent Ives scoring with multiple infringements. The arbiter finally lost patience and awarded a deserved penalty try. It was now a 2-point game.
There followed twenty minutes where neither side had clear cut chances, but Ives scrum was beginning to dominate. The game was played in the S&L half, but it was not until the last minutes that Ives managed to hold onto the ball.
Great continuity ultimately saw Henri Cole crash over to seal the victory.
DoR Duncan Williams reflected on the result as he sprinted for cover, “In the face of the harsh weather, a well-disciplined St Ives team showed what can be achieved by positivity and focus.”
Ives look forward to their next top of the table clash away at Stockwood Park.