Bulls on a charge against Westwood

St Ives 22-0 Westwood ---

ST IVES racked up another win against lowly Westwood, opponents they had already beaten 83-7 earlier in the campaign.

The Peterborough side were stronger and better prepared second time around but a workmanlike performance across the park gave the Bulls the points.

The visitors made the early running in testing conditions, and a moment of madness from Ollie Scott cost him a spell in the sin bin, but Westwood missed the penalty.

Bulls then began to make the most of their possession, as a well-worked ball along the line saw Jim Robinson slice through to score under the posts, successfully converted by Jim Blackley.

Although the visitors worked the hosts' defence hard, the line held firm it was advantage Ives at the break.

With the wind at their backs Ives looked to piece together some meaningful possession and build up the scoreline, but the game soon turned into a battle of the forwards.

The Bulls won a number of turnovers and penalties, one converted by Blackley, but their momentum was sapped during the opening 10 minutes of the second half.

However the strength of the Bulls forwards told, and gaps appeared to Ives to exploit.

They could have had more than their two tries but handling errors led to the waste of several good openings.

Robinson got his second try, cutting through the line to finish under the posts again, and Blackley converted before adding a try of his own wide on the right.

Skipper Ross Thompson said the margin of victory could have been greater.

"The defence stood firm and it was nice to see us keep a clean sheet, but I'm slightly disappointed more chances weren't taken. With a few personnel returning from injury now, and some new faces putting their hands up to be counted we hope for greater things in the coming important weeks."

St Ives visit Biggleswade on Saturday.