St Ives bounced back from the disappointment of Monday night to beat Ramsey in the Hunts Premier Cup Final. Saints started strongly, clearly keen to banish the memories of the Hinchingbrooke Cup Final defeat to St Neots, and the movement of Liam Kennett a

St Ives bounced back from the disappointment of Monday night to beat Ramsey in the Hunts Premier Cup Final.

Saints started strongly, clearly keen to banish the memories of the Hinchingbrooke Cup Final defeat to St Neots, and the movement of Liam Kennett and Scott Fielding put the Ramsey backline under pressure from the off.

Ives made the breakthrough after a quarter of an hour, when Dan Moyes swung a ball into the box after a break from Kennett, and Barry Albone managed to loop the ball into the far corner.

Two minutes later, with Ramsey on the ropes, Ozie Foster hit a volley 25 yards but saw the ball crash off the bar to safety.

Saints began to dictate the tempo of the game, and it didn't take them long to extend their lead.

On 24 minutes Ricky Dear latched onto a bouncing ball from 30 yards, and cracked a sweet strike over the head of Gareth Bridges in the Ramsey goal. It was Dear's second goal of the season, both of which have come in cup finals.

Saints had opportunities to make the game safe, with Foster being denied by Bridges, who got down quickly to block his left-footed shot from 12 yards.

Slowly Ramsey began to settle, exploiting the pace of striker Jamie Darlow behind the Ives defence.

They got their reward on 41 minutes when Darlow latched onto a through-ball into the area and slotted under the keeper to give Ramsey hope going into the break.

The second half promised much, but in reality the game was settled just five minutes in, when Dear scored again from long range, sending the ball past the keeper's right hand into the bottom corner from 20 yards.

Ramsey had the better of the game from there on, dominating possession but unable to turn it into clear chances. As they committed men forward looking for the goals they needed, St Ives became increasingly dangerous on the break, and Ramsey captain Nick Kay was called upon to make some excellent last-ditch tackles.

Despite their lead, St Ives could not relax until the final whistle, which sparked the celebrations for Saints' second cup of the season.