Bury Titans 24–22 St Ives Roosters ST IVES Roosters were looking for an improved team performance after last week s defeat to Northampton, and coach Ian Hill will feel disappointed that his charges left with nothing following a promising team display. H

Bury Titans 24-22 St Ives Roosters

ST IVES Roosters were looking for an improved team performance after last week's defeat to Northampton, and coach Ian Hill will feel disappointed that his charges left with nothing following a promising team display.

However, Roosters can be encouraged by the performance after having shaken off last week's undisciplined showing, and but for some unfortunate injuries, could have returned from Bury with the points.

"We haven't performed well this season but we had a good team meeting before the game and this led to a better display all round. There's still a long way to go to reach our usual high standard but we've created the platform to get there this week," said Hill.

"We knew that Bury were a good side, and that we couldn't go there playing the same way that we have been. The team meeting was a chance to clear the air, and to try to put right some things that have gone wrong for us this season."

The Roosters dominated the opening without success but fell behind to a try, before Jamie Noble hit back on 13 minutes. Without a regular kicker the conversion was missed and this was to be the deciding factor by the end of the game, as the Roosters only managed to convert one try.

The Roosters continued to work hard and after being awarded a penalty, they moved the ball wide where Michael Drake fed Chris Sykes to score in the corner.

St Ives struggled with the loss of three players being knocked unconscious after some heavy Titans tackling, and soon conceded another try. Two further Bury tries in the last 10 minutes of the half gave the home side a 14-8 lead, but Paul Ashbridge took a tapped penalty kick and smashed through Titans defensive line to reduce the arrears to just two points at the break.

The second half opened with some strong tackling with little quarter given but the home side struck first with a try under the posts.

Another barnstorming run from Ashbridge broke the Titans line to reduce their lead to two points. They then followed up to take the lead for the first time in the game as an excellent move saw the ball moved wide to Ben Pinion who scored in the corner.

A succession of penalties near the end allowed the Titans to regain the lead after crossing close to the post, and they hung on to secure the win and take the two points.

The Roosters next play at home against Colchester Romans on Saturday June 6 at 2.30pm.