Not even some bad traffic could hold up St Ives’ perfect start to the Midlands Division Three East (South) season last Saturday.
The Bulls endured a nightmare journey to Northampton BBOB although the return trip was somewhat happier following a 34-24 success.
But injured skipper Ollie Bartlett admitted: “We seemed to make very hard work of winning that game. The traffic problems clearly didn’t help, but we never got going.
“Coming away with five league points, despite knowing we can do a lot better, is a good result.”
Albiee Tayedzerwa touched down for the first two St Ives tries – sandwiching a score from the hosts. BBOB then went over on two further occasions to lead before an Ollie Raine try edged St Ives into a single-point advantage at the break. Paul Ashbridge also contributed a penalty and a conversion to their first-half haul.
The Bulls extended their cushion in the second period as substitute Ollie Jones darted over the line to mark his first XV debut with a try before Raine added a tremendous individual score.
He was then denied a hat-trick when the referee ruled the ball had been held up and St Ives allowed their hosts to cut the arrears with another try before seeing out the contest.
The Bulls entertain Lincolnshire side Sleaford this Saturday in the second round of the Midlands Senior Vase.
Huntingdon missed out on a welcome Midlands Division One East success last Saturday when held to a 15-15 stalemate by Wellingborough at The Racecourse.
And it was only an upright that prevented Damien Whales’ men falling to a fourth successive defeat as a late penalty from the visitors hit the post.
Stags fell behind to a converted try before Tad Chapman sent over a penalty to put their first points on the board.
Chapman was also involved in the fine move that led to a Barnie West try before adding the extras with a fine conversion.
Stags lead increased in the second half when Stephen Chantler burst through the visiting defence and offloaded for Charlie Saunders to touch down.
Chapman couldn’t convert on that occasion and an eight-point advantage was reduced to five by a Wellingborough penalty moments later.
It was then wiped out completely by the away side’s second try and only the woodwork stopped them snatching victory in the dying moments.
Stags are without a game this Saturday. Their veteran side – the Staggerers – host Oundle at the Racecourse.
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