Roosters miss out on third place after final game

ST IVES Roosters rounded off their campaign with a disappointing home defeat against last season’s national champions Northampton Demons.

Rugby League

St Ives Roosters 18 Northampton Demons 44

Rugby League Conference – East Division

ST IVES Roosters rounded off their campaign with a disappointing home defeat against last season’s national champions Northampton Demons.

The loss ended the Roosters’ faint hopes of clinching the third play-off position in the RLC East Division.

Once again, Ives went into the game without being at full strength, and could only name one substitute on the bench.

The lack of manpower ultimately cost the Roosters, with their opponents replacing tired legs and the Roosters slowly running out of steam.

The game started well for the Roosters with a try from David Sykes. Sykes, returning to the side after a two-match absence, was able to cross close to the line after Tim Lumley-Good and Josh Dear had created a good field position from some strong drives. Matt Dear successfully converted to extend the lead.

The Demons hit back after 10 minutes with a well-worked try, and established a stranglehold on the game before the half-hour mark.

In a mad 20 minutes Northampton took control of the game and scored a further 22 points.

Roosters regained some composure with a Steve Burke try which was converted by Dear.

The second half was controlled by the Demons as they ran in some set play moves against the tiring Roosters.

The lead was extended to 44-12 before the Roosters were rewarded for the endeavour with a fine try by Paul Ashbridge which Dear converted.

RUGBY LEAGUE CONFERENCE

EAST DIVISION

P W D L Pts

Northampton Demons 10 9 0 1 18

Bedford Tigers 10 8 0 2 16

Bury Titans 10 5 0 5 10

St Ives Roosters 10 5 0 5 10

Norwich City Saxons 10 3 0 7 6

St Albans Centurions A 10 0 0 10 0