St Ives win entertaining pre-season rugby game v Wymondham

The Bulls managed to come out on top during a real game of two halves, played in four quarters to allow coaches to rotate and test formations.

St Ives finished the first two quarters 33-7 down, but they then blew Wymondham away, with their bulldozing driving maul helping them to score six unanswered tries.

St Ives' lineout was the catalyst for their powerful performance in the final two quarters. (Image: Paul Cox)

Wymondham were the first to settle into the game, and some continuous pressure broke the home defence and the deadlock, going two scores up.

Ives eventually found their feet, and skipper John Paxton made a fine break supported by Cullan Smy. Stopped just short, Dave Walley was on hand to drive over.

Wymondham added two further tries before and after the change of ends, which was to be the last time they breached the Ives defence as the Bulls took control for the remainder of the match.

Sam Marjason-Stamp scored the first of the Bulls' six unanswered tries, and the pack started to cause havoc, with Josh Dear finishing off a move from the lineout for their third try of the game.

Dan De'ath powered through the Wymondham defence. (Image: Paul Cox)

Paxton was playing with lots of freedom, and another fine break pierced the defence, and he found Raine in support for the scoring pass.

St Ives opened the final quarter with a penalty try from a driving maul, and then the backs got in on the act with Dan Hawkins streaking through the midfield to score before Ollie Barlett finished off proceedings by peeling off another maul to score.

Dan Hawkins streaked away to score the sixth try of the game for St Ives. (Image: Paul Cox)

Head Coach Paul Humphreys was pleased with the day, saying: "I think it was agreed that both teams served up some enjoyable rugby.

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"The four quarters enabled me to change the side and rotate players and combinations. The pleasing thing is the effort and character the boys showed.

"Even in the middle half of the game when Wymondham got ahead on the scoreboard, we did not panic and still looked to play, asking questions in attack and defence.

"The final 20 minutes were a joy to watch. The composure and togetherness we showed and the desire to work for each other were very satisfying.

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"There's still plenty to work on and sort out, but as a club and group of players, we can be extremely pleased we are heading in the right direction."