Phil Brown reports on the game between St Ives and Biggleswade. 

This was another game of what might have been for the Bulls. Having been heavily defeated in the reverse fixture, Ives were keen to make amends and started brightly.

From the off, a beautifully delayed pass by Adam Williams saw Michael Sykes through a gap in the centre. With quick recycling and fine hands across the park, Connor O’Neill was left with space and dived over to open the scoring.

Biggleswade began to play their patterns and a good kick put pressure on Ives deep in their own half. A mix up at the lineout granted the visitors possession and their own slick handling rounded Ives’ defence to even the score.

The rest of the half saw strong defence by both teams prevent further scoring. As the minutes ticked down, another lineout steal saw Biggy apply pressure. A quickly taken penalty close in saw the prop barge over to score a converted try.

Half time 5-12.

Ives again started on the front foot. Biggy could only keep them out by offending and Joe Cox stepped up to slot a penalty.

Unfortunately for them, from the restart Ives coughed up their own penalty being offside from their own bouncing ball. Biggleswade retained possession in their best spell and after many phases the front rower finally breached the defence for a converted try.

Ives continued to play with purpose and when spreading the ball were stretching the Biggy defence. But they could find no killer blow.

Finally, from a wayward clearance kick, Albie Tayedzerwa made a darting run into the visitors’ half. Quick hands again saw O’Neill with enough space to scorch down the touchline to score in the corner. The fine touchline conversion by Cox made it a one-score game with ten minutes to go.

With the tension palpable, both sides had half chances, but once more the defences won out and Biggy ended up the winners.

Head Coach Paul Humphreys commented: “That was one that got away. We started with a bang, carrying well, playing nicely and challenging the Biggleswade defence with a good opening try.

“Biggleswade came back at us, but our defence was very good, the players having to adapt to some different interpretations of the tackle laws, which I felt we did. But it did allow Biggleswade to slow the game down, control the ball and get a couple of scores.

“We started the second half well, scored the best try off the game with a flowing move of power and pace that we know we are capable of. We deservedly won the second half, again our defence at times breath-taking!

“Had we taken a few of the chances we created, then on a different day we would have won.”

“I’m proud of the boys who played, they played with heart and spirit to be admired.”

Final score: 15-19