St Ives continued their Midlands Division Two East (South) resurgence last Saturday with a second successive victory.

The Hunts Post: Alex Henly of St Ives attempts to break free from a Stewarts & Lloyds opponent. Picture: PAUL COXAlex Henly of St Ives attempts to break free from a Stewarts & Lloyds opponent. Picture: PAUL COX (Image: Paul Cox)

The local club endured a torrid start to the campaign with seven consecutive defeats, but they are fast making up for lost time.

The Bulls broke their duck with a November 30 home triumph against Northampton Old Scouts and followed up in style last Saturday when seeing off Stewarts & Lloyds 27-5 in a basement battle at Somersham Road.

The foundations for success were laid by a stout defensive display for the opening quarter of the contest with the Bulls playing up the hill and into a stiff wind.

The game remained pointless until the half-hour mark when Joseph Cox slotted over a penalty and he then provided St Ives' first try moments later when benefiting from a fine Alex Henly run and a peach of an offload from John Paxton.

The Hunts Post: St Ives man Joseph Cox finds a gap in the Stewarts & Lloyds defence. Picture: PAUL COXSt Ives man Joseph Cox finds a gap in the Stewarts & Lloyds defence. Picture: PAUL COX (Image: Paul Cox)

But the Bulls' saw their advantage slashed before the break as Stewarts & Lloyds forced a turnover and took full advantage to touch down for their only points of the afternoon.

The visitors' hopes of a comeback were dashed in the opening few minutes of the second half as Duncan Williams claimed a quickfire try double after blasting away from lineouts to score.

The boot of Cox added the extras on both occasions as the Bulls took giant strides towards a victory which was secured by a bonus-point try from Brad Robinson after Henly had again opened up the visiting defence.

St Ives coach Max Dominy ssaid: "We proved to ourselves against Northampton Old Scouts that we are capable of getting the outcome we want when sticking to our plans.

The Hunts Post: John Paxton runs with the ball as St Ives beat Stewarts & Lloyds last Saturday. Picture: PAUL COXJohn Paxton runs with the ball as St Ives beat Stewarts & Lloyds last Saturday. Picture: PAUL COX (Image: Paul Cox)

"It was important to follow up that first win with another good performance and result, and we definitely took another step in the right direction against Stewarts & Lloyds.

"We now look forward to continuing the progress we are making."

The back-to-back victories have carried St Ives to within touching distance of safety, but they have a tough end to 2019 ahead.

The Bulls go to second-placed Belgrave this Saturday before hosting another top-six side, Bugbrooke, on December 21.