Roosters knocked off their perch

Rugby League Conference - East

Greenwich Admirals 36 St Ives Roosters 0

DESPITE under-strength Roosters slumping to a 36-0 defeat in a bad tempered game at Greenwich Admirals, coach Ian Hill was in positive mood after the game.

The coach said: "We always knew it was going to be a tough game as Greenwich had not been beaten at home for two years. We had a young and inexperienced team playing but they battled well in the face of a lot of intimidation."

After an hour's delay to the start because the referee failed to arrive, it was Greenwich who immediately made up for lost time by striking as early as the tenth minute with a converted try.

Roosters put in a good spell of sustained pressure but failed to trouble the scorers before Greenwich found the Roosters line to bring the interval score to 12-0 in the home side's favour.

The second half was a niggling affair which will be more remembered because of two full scale brawls rather than any skilful rugby that could have been played.

Hill said: "No-one likes to see this type of thing happen and it portrays the game in a bad light. What I found quite sad was the fact that the Greenwich substitutes ran onto the field of play and joined in."

Surprisingly, the referee took no action against the brawling players and Greenwich seized on the opportunity to clock up another two converted tries to increase their lead to 24-0.

The second brawl saw two players from each side sin-binned - and once again the involvement of the hosts' substitutes, who seemed keen to be involved in the match come what may.

As the clocked ticked by a tiring Roosters conceded two late tries to leave the final score at 36-0.

n Roosters are at home to Cambridge Eagles on Saturday for the Cambridgeshire derby match. Kick-off is 2.30pm at Somersham Road, St Ives.