Rugby League Conference Eastern Division Cambridge Eagles 10 St Ives Roosters 52 ST Ives Roosters built on last week s success with a comfortable away victory in the derby game against Cambridge on Saturday. The game was fiery from the start, with Ro

Rugby League Conference Eastern Division

Cambridge Eagles 10 St Ives Roosters 52

ST Ives Roosters built on last week's success with a comfortable away victory in the derby game against Cambridge on Saturday.

The game was fiery from the start, with Roosters losing influential hooker Andrew Dean with a broken nose after five minutes.

St Ives pulled together, defying Cambridge's physical approach with a stylish try from Michael Cade, who had just come on as a sub for Dean. Dan McCormack dived over soon after to increase ST Ives' lead.

Despite their early supremacy, the Roosters were forced to defend for a spell, with James Yeoman and Jack Blackley's efforts in particular denying Cambridge any points.

A breakaway try from England Lionhearts international John Paxton then relieved the pressure for St Ives before a Jamie Noble try sent them into the break 22-0 up.

The second half began with a spate of penalties being awarded against St Ives, with Cambridge finally getting on the scoreboard with a converted try to make it 22-6.

The Roosters hit back straight away, however, with Cade crossing the line after being fed by McCormack.

McCormack then claimed his second try after quick thinking and good hands on the part of Lionhearts forward Michael Sykes saw St Ives run one in from the half-way line.

With the Roosters finding their rhythm, they crossed the line five times in quick succesion to build an unassailable lead of 52-6, the tries coming from Quegan (2), Paxton, Morton and Noble.

With 15 minutes remaining, it looked as though the Roosters would pull further away, but it proved not to be the case as the referee continued to award penalties to the Eagles.

Despite an excellent try-saving tackle from Blackley, Cambridge managed an uncoverted consolation try in the dying minutes to end the game 52-10.

Assistant Coach Ray Marshall said after the game: "We came to do a job today and we did it in style. I'm proud of my boys as they stood up to some serious foul play but didn't let it put them off."

Of all his players, Marshall singled out Michael Sykes for special praise: "Michael was outstanding and showed why he is an international player with a great future."

ST Ives will now play South Norfolk Saints away on 10 June.