Rugby League St Ives Roosters 46 South Norfolk Saints 48 THE Roosters came away from their opening game of the 2006 Rugby League Conference with a narrow defeat in a high-scoring and unpredictable match. Saints took an early lead, going twelve points up

Rugby League

St Ives Roosters 46 South Norfolk Saints 48

THE Roosters came away from their opening game of the 2006 Rugby League Conference with a narrow defeat in a high-scoring and unpredictable match.

Saints took an early lead, going twelve points up through three long-range tries, before Dave Sykes split their defence with a powerful run from deep that ended in a try for debutant Paul Ashcroft.

Four more Roosters tries followed in quick succession. Two came from debutant Alex Goode, one from centre Ollie Jones and one from hooker Andrew Dean.

Saints then countered with a try either side of half-time to redresss the balance.

MoM James Yeomans put in some strong tackles to win the ball before scoring a try following a Steve Burke break.

The Roosters battled on but, despite two late tries from Dan McCormack and Goode, the visitors hung on to their slender lead to take the game.

Roosters' Director of Coaching Steve Sudlow said after the game: "We put a young side out, including five new players, and they did a good job.

"We've got work to do on our defence before facing Bedford next week, but with two England Lionhearts due back we've got every reason to be confident.