High-scoring St Ives racked up a third half-century of the season as they returned to winning ways last Saturday.

The Hunts Post: Paul Ashbridge shrugs off an opponent as St Ives beat Vipers. Picture: PAUL COXPaul Ashbridge shrugs off an opponent as St Ives beat Vipers. Picture: PAUL COX (Image: Paul Cox)

The Bulls produced a brilliant display at Somersham Road to see off Leicester side Vipers 53-7 in a Midlands Division Two East (South) clash.

Man-of-the-match Ollie Raine darted between two visiting defenders to touch down for the first of eight tries as St Ives quickly hit the front.

Chris Williams added two tries of his own in the opening period with Paul Ashbridge’s boot in fine form as he sent over all three conversion attempts and a penalty.

And the Bulls continued to have plenty of success in the second period when they cranked their performance up another notch.

The Hunts Post: Mickey Drake dodges a Vipers player while helping St Ives to victory. Picture: PAUL COXMickey Drake dodges a Vipers player while helping St Ives to victory. Picture: PAUL COX (Image: Paul Cox)

It was only two minutes old when Josh Meadows benefitted from a Raine charge to sprint over the line and he completed a brace just before the hour as the floodgates well and truly opened.

Albiee Tayedzerwa switched on the after-burners to gallop in for another try and Duncan Williams then shrugged off a series of challenges to add his name to the list of scorers.

The combination of injuries and a yellow card to Chris Williams did cause some disruption to St Ives, but it couldn’t prevent them from adding a further try to their tally as Pete Fahey was rewarded for quick reactions to gather a bouncing ball.

Ashbridge added two more conversions in the second half as the Bulls roared past the 50-point barrier, but their hopes of shutting out their opponents were dashed by a consolation Vipers try in the dying moments.

Bulls’ man Raine said: “We faced Vipers three times last season and all of the matches were very close.

“This time we blew them away which shows how much we have developed and we were still discussing what we could have done better!”

St Ives sit third in the Midlands Division Two East (South) standings ahead of their next league outing when they go to Corby side Stewart & Lloyd on December 1.

Before then the Bulls head to Peterborough this Saturday in the opening round of the Hunts & Peterborough Cup.