St Ives' preparations for the Huntingdonshire and Peterborough Cup Final have got off to a stuttering start following a 47-36 friendly defeat at home to Rushden & Higham.
St Ives played their part in the 13-try thriller but were second best for much of the contest to a determined Rushden side who play in the division below.
The Bulls got off to the worst possible in the first half when Rushden ran in three converted scores, taking advantage of the home side's errors to make it 21-0
The three tries seemed to shock St Ives into action, who eventually strung some phases together to score and capitalise on Rushdens ill-discipline and make it 28-19 at half-time.
The second half was an end-to-end affair, with both sides trading scores before Ollie Bartlett touched down to make it 42-36, reducing the deficit to one try heading into the final few minutes.
However, with St Ives throwing caution to the winds, a lost ball in the attack gave Rushden a chance to counter and put the game to bed at 47-36.
READ MORE: Rampant St Ives score ten tries to reach Hunts and Peterborough Cup final
St Ives will get the chance to avenge their defeat when they play a second friendly at Rushden on April 29, the final game before their county cup final on May 6.
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