ST IVES Roosters took the honours from one of the fiercest rivalries in amateur rugby league with an exciting victory over second-placed Bedford Tigers.

Rugby League Conference – East Division

ST IVES Roosters took the honours from one of the fiercest rivalries in amateur rugby league with an exciting victory over second-placed Bedford Tigers.

For the second week running the Roosters travelled with a depleted squad, but delivered a team effort to inflict on the Tigers a first home defeat of the season.

Once again, the Roosters were hampered by a poor start, as a sloppy penalty led to a Tigers try. To compound Roosters’ misfortune, the missed conversion was incorrectly awarded by the referee.

Adam Peel got the Roosters back in the game on 10 minutes when his kick deceived the Bedford full-back, allowing Peel to touch down himself.

The kick was unsuccessful, but the Roosters went ahead when brother Sam Peel touched down from Michael Drake’s pass, and Matt Dear converted for a 10-6 lead.

The game began to get heated, with Dear finding himself sin-binned along with the Tigers’ Gary Flook after the two scuffled.

The Tigers edged back into the game and the lead switched hands twice with a converted try for the Tigers, before Stuart Castle sidestepped two players to power over the line for the Roosters, and Dear showed the benefit of his rest to convert for 16-12.

In contrast to the first half, the Roosters got off to a flyer in the second, profiting from a knock-on for Paul Ashbridge to touch down, with Dear adding the extras.

The Tigers did not give up however, and hit back with a converted try of their own.

Jamie Noble’s try, converted by Dear, gave the Roosters a decisive 28-18 lead, and despite some penalty slip-ups, they seemed to have the game in the bag.

Drake added another try, and though Bedford scored a debatable try with 10 minutes left, after what appeared to be a double movement and knock-on in the build-up, the Roosters continued to hold the upper hand.

There was still time for the Roosters captain Drake to be sent off for dissent after complaining at the rough treatment of Adam Peel, but the 12 remaining Roosters held firm.

? The Roosters play their final game of the season on Saturday, July 31, when they entertain league leaders and national champions Northampton Demons. The game, at St Ives’ Somersham Road ground, kicks off at 2.30pm.