St Ives took the win in what proved to be a fierce local derby game against rivals St Neots, writes Phil Brown.

Head coach Josh Dear enjoyed his week and said after the game: “A good result for us today. Not a full performance, but a good result.

"Against a very keen, physical and quick team, we had to defend for most of the first half and to get to half time within a score is testament to our defensive efforts.

"When we got hold of the ball after the break, we backed ourselves and opened up on the scoreboard. We really started to enjoy the game. Our set piece was working well and the backs caused panic both in defence and attack.

“There’s been a buzz at the club all week in training and I’m pleased the boys showed what they can do, both with nice attacking rugby and dogged defence.

“It was great to get back to our clubhouse later and celebrate with the seconds team after their close loss to the league leaders.

"Hearing of similar efforts from the lads in their game, we are developing a culture at the club of enjoyment both while playing and after, built on a foundation of working hard for each other.”

The Bulls first string showed their mettle for a fourth week as they took the spoils in another close encounter. The difference this week was the number of tries!

Territory and possession in the first half were dominated by the hosts. But it was Ives who scored first as Rees Burns intercepted out wide and ran the length of the field to score. Joe Cox slotted a fine conversion.

St Neots pummelled the Ives’ line, but could find no way through the solid defence, led as ever by Ollie Bartlett. As the game entered its second quarter, the pressure finally told and St Neots scored an unconverted try.

Soon after, some ill-discipline granted the hosts another opportunity and they scuttled over for a converted try.

Ives defence remained resolute and they finally broke the shackles to get to the other end of the pitch. A penalty opportunity was converted by Cox, the half finishing 12-10 to the home side.

The second half was a different story. From the kick off, Ives played with fluency and some direct running created space to put Burns in for his second.

The Bulls’ pack was totally dominant throughout. Following another driving scrum, Bartlett picked from the base and dragged two defenders over the line to score.

Whenever Newts sensed a break, Bulls’ defence cut them down. Special mention for Charlie Mandley who also put in some ankle level tackles to stem the attacks.

St Neots only scoring opportunity was again down to poor execution. An exit kick found the liveliest of Newts’ attackers – the full back – who ran hard and fast past flailing Ives’ defence to score. Again converted.

With temperatures in the local derby soaring and despite Ives being down to fourteen men, more superb handling saw Burns scorch down the wing to complete his hat-trick.

The Bulls were enjoying their work and began to play as they had practised. More excellent passing stretched the home defence and saw Ben Fleming score in the corner.

There was still time for St. Neots to score a late converted consolation try, which made the score closer than the second half performance suggested.

The Ives’ coaching team was delighted to come through the tense local derby and raised their glasses to completing another tight victory.

Final Score: St Neots 26, St Ives 32.

St Ives II 24, Cottenham Renegades 38

Ives 2nd hosted Cottenham in another thrilling encounter, going down four tries to five in the end.

The game was marked by the return from injury of a number of older Bulls and the continued progression of 17 year-old Declan O’Neill. For the second week running he was nominated man-of-the-match by the opposition!

Ives points came from three tries by Paul Ashbridge, Shaun Mundy and Jack Blackley, with Blackley converting all three and adding a penalty.