St Ives Rugby Club treated its travelling support to a feast of attacking rugby for the final league game of the season, just losing out to the high-flying Vipers RFC 53-31 in a 14-try thriller.
The Bulls pushed second-placed Vipers all the way in a hugely entertaining game, ultimately settled by the Vipers' quick transitions from turnovers and mistakes, which allowed them to punish St Ives.
Despite the result, head coach Paul Humphreys was in a buoyant mood after the game and said: "I have always had the belief that the boys can play, and today (March 25), they had the same belief.
"I felt we matched, and for long periods, outplayed the Vipers. Although the scoreboard does not reflect this, we clearly had them worried in the second half.
"The boys gave it everything, and I am proud of them all."
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Both sides scored tries early on in an even start as number eight Brad Gooding barrelled over the whitewash for a score, converted by John Paxton.
Six tries were then scored in rapid succession towards the end of the half, with Greg Dale and Rees Burns dotting down to make it 19-29 and keep in touch with the Vipers.
Poor defence allowed the hosts to extend their lead at the start of the second half before Callum Smy waltzed through gaps in the Vipers' line to grab a deserved bonus point and make it 26-36.
Despite Gooding scoring a second try in response to another Vipers score, Ives' desire to chase the game and keep the ball alive cost them.
In the last minutes, the Vipers snatched two tries from counterattacks to finish 31-53 winners, adding gloss to the scoreline.
The result means St Ives finished tenth in the Counties 1 Midlands East (South) division, third from the bottom, with the RFU yet to confirm the layout of the league next season.
Next up for St Ives is the semi-final of the Cambs Cup next week against Ely Tigers, which will also act as a contest for the Percy Walker Cup.
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