Table-topping St Ives saved their best until last – when storming to a stunning success in their final fixture of 2017.
Phil Brown’s men produced a 14-try demolition of Daventry when strengthening their grip on Midlands Division Three South (East) top spot following a 92-3 rout.
It was a victory which extended their perfect start to 15 games in all competitions and ensured their first target was passed with flying colours.
Captain Ollie Bartlett said: “The first goal has always been to reach Christmas unbeaten and we’ve now achieved that. We could hardly have done it in a better way than scoring 14 tries in a game in which we didn’t concede one.
“The lads can all enjoy the festive season now and return refreshed for the challenges that lie ahead in the new year.”
St Ives could easily have managed a century of points given they were guilty of spurning a number of good scoring opportunities in the opening quarter of the contest.
They eventually hit the front when Paul Ashbridge sliced through the Daventry defence to touch down. He then laid on the second try for Duncan Williams.
Captain Ollie Bartlett and player-coach John Naylor also crossed the line before the break to ease the hosts into a 26-0 advantage.
Daventry avoided a whitewash when sending over a penalty early in a second period which quickly became all about the Bulls as their forwards laid the perfect platform for the backs to run riot.
Pete Fahey and Albiee Tayedzerwa got in on the try-scoring act before Josh Dear went over for a fine team effort.
Mickey Drake then joined the party before Naylor was the beneficiary of a Williams surge to cap another tidy move with five points.
Drake sprinted in for a second try to take the St Ives tally into double-figures, but they were not about to relent as Ashbridge and Tayedzerwa both matched Drake’s feat.
Ollie Raine, who climbed off his sick bed to take his place in the Bulls team, added his name to a lengthy list of try-scorers before Drake completed his hat-trick to bring the blitz to an end.
Ashbridge was successful with 11 of his conversion attempts as his boot supplied another 22 points to the Bulls’ monster tally.
The Midlands Division Three East (South) season resumes in the new year. St Ives entertain Leicester Forest on January 6.
* Paul Jones ran in a 20-minute hat-trick of tries as St Ives 2nds beat Shelford 4ths 52-10 last Saturday.
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