St Ives rugby club enjoy first bonus point win of the season

Both sides began the game at the foot of Counties 1 Midlands East South division and have been suffering long injury and unavailability lists this season.

The visiting Dees struck first when a quickly taken penalty saw the scrum-half dart through a static Bulls defence and set up a score in the corner.

Stand-in skipper Josh Dear was determined to get points on the board, and as the first quarter elapsed, two penalties by Paul Ashbridge gave Ives a slender lead.

Ollie Raine then took matters into his own hands and, taking the ball on the halfway line, rode a series of tackles to dot down between the posts.

Back Row Ollie Raine was instrumental in helping St Ives to a bonus point win (Image: Paul Cox)

With evergreen Paul Hammond playing his first 1st XV match in seven seasons at loosehead, the home pack dominated in the scrum.

Unfortunately, the power led to an injury to a Dees prop. Having travelled light, Dees went down to 14 men, and scrums were uncontested for the remainder of the match.

Dees responded with a penalty when Ives were caught offside in front.

With the first period about to close, Ives put the move of the match together.

Superb continuity and decision-making saw them make their way upfield until Matt Wood received a pass on the overlap to score, and both converted for a 20-8 lead at halftime.

As in the first half, the visitors started better with immediate pressure forcing a penalty with Dee's kicker adding another three points. 

However, Raine was instrumental in the next score, holding off the defenders and offloading out of the back of his hand to the supporting Sam Marjason-Stamp to score.

Connor O'Neill grabbed the try bonus soon after, and Tommy Newman scored the fifth try, with Ashbridge’s good form off the tee ensuring all three were converted.

Coach Paul Humphreys was a happy man post-match and said: “The boys showed a determination and spirit which was reflected in the score line throughout the game.

"Our pack had willing runners giving the backs ball on the front foot, who at times looked dangerous.

"Lots of positives to take away from the performance and to build on.”