St Ives were dealt a lesson in finishing in the second half of a match that was for either side to grasp after an even first half.

St Neots started well and camped in Ives half for the first 20 minutes. Stout defence and some handling errors meant the match remained scoreless until the Bulls wrested control of the ball for a spell.

A penalty to the corner led to a line-out where the sharp thinking Ollie Bartlett eschewed the planned maul set up and simply turned to run past the hosts’ defence.  Joe Cox struck a fine conversion against the wind.

The Hunts Post: Ollie Barlett in action in the game between St Ives and St Neots.Ollie Barlett in action in the game between St Ives and St Neots. (Image: Phil Brown)

From the kick off, Ives could have had another as a break by Max Flint was supported Rees Burns. But desperate defence by the home full back saw the ball spilled over the line.

The Hunts Post: Max Flint breaks in the lead up to Ives second try.Max Flint breaks in the lead up to Ives second try. (Image: Phil Brown)

St Neots had a similar opportunity at the other end, but determined defence saw them held up.

There followed a rib-tickling injury to skipper John Paxton which momentarily left Ives one short. St Neots took full advantage to even the score at half time.

Ives were caught napping at the start of the second half. The home scrum half dummied from a lineout and ran to the line untouched.

A few minutes later, Ives lost Bartlett and Bradley Marshall to injury. The hosts again showed their clinical side and scored their third as some disorganised defence allowed them to go the length of the field to score.

The Hunts Post: Bradley Marshall in action.Bradley Marshall in action. (Image: Phil Brown)

The homes side’s bonus point try came from Ives being turned over in attack. St Neots handling was effective.

Ives did not feel out of it, but the home defence at the breakdown was proving dominant. From a scrum in their own half following another turnover, St Neots released their prolific winger with much to do. He demonstrated why he tops the try scoring charts with a blistering run leaving defenders in his wake.

Ives had the last word with the best team try of the game. A break by Max Flint took them to the 22 and fine hands across the park gave Connor O’Neill the ball in space. He sprinted past the covering defence to touch down in the corner to show what might have been.

With the rearranged game versus Luton next, coach Paul Humphreys is hoping for a positive reaction at training.

Final score St Neots 35 - St Ives 12.

March Bears 47, St. Ives II 6

Ives 2nds were by no means disgraced at runaway league leaders March Bears. Unfortunately short handed, they made a fist of the game, before tiring and ultimately conceding seven tries. Dan Hawkins scored two penalties for Ives.