Rugby League Conference - Eastern Division Colchester Romans 26 St Ives Roosters 68 ST IVES Roosters returned to winning ways with an impressive victory at division newcomers Colchester Romans on Saturday. However the scoreline did not reflect the true p

Rugby League Conference - Eastern Division

Colchester Romans 26 St Ives Roosters 68

ST IVES Roosters returned to winning ways with an impressive victory at division newcomers Colchester Romans on Saturday.

However the scoreline did not reflect the true picture of the match with the bruising Colchester side offering plenty of resistance in an entertaining encounter.

The Roosters took advantage of an early knock-on from the Romans and Michael Cade, returning from injury, opened the scoring. He then repeated the trick direct from the kick-off with a great 60 metre run to score.

Colchester pulled a try back with a well-worked move but St Ives quickly re-established their dominance with three scores in quick succession. Michael Sykes, an individual effort from Jack Blackley and another long run from John Paxton gave the Roosters some breathing space.

Colchester still looked dangerous with some impressive drives and powerful running which saw them notch two more tries before half time.

However a Steve Burke try coupled with two more from Sykes put St Ives 28-16 ahead at half time.

Roosters, prompted by veteran Dan McCormack, dominated the second half and ran in 40 points without reply before lapses in concentration in the Roosters defences allowed the Romans some consolation in the form of two late scores.

Sykes added another two with one each for Paxton and Burke. Steve Hill, Tom Quegan, Michael Drake and Oli Moorhouse completed the rout.

Assistant coach Ray Marshall said: "I was very happy with the performance today, especially in the second half as our concentraion and discipline improved.

"We're all looking forward to next week's derby and this win has set us up nicely."

The Roosters are celebrating their 15th anniversary this season. A reunion for past players is being held at their home derby next week with Cambridge Eagles. The game takes place at St Ives RFC, Somersham Road, 2.30pm kick off.