RUGBY LEAGUE: Roosters sink St Albans side to claim welcome win

St Ives Roosters bounced back to winning ways last Saturday after suffering two successive East Premier Division defeats.

The local side saw off St Albans Centurions 34-16 at Somersham Road to rise to second place in the standings.

Roosters started well and their early pressure led to an opening try from Will Mandley which was soon followed by a classy Mickey Drake solo effort.

Another Mandley touchdown and a Chris Sykes effort eased Roosters into a 16-4 advantage at the break nd that was extended when Matt Wood dived over from close range early in the second period.

Roosters were guilty of taking their feet off the gas and were stung by three St Albans tries that pulled the visitng team to within six points.

But they regained the upper hand as captain Josh Meadows led by example with a well-timed score, bursting through a series of attempted tackles.

And a welcome victory was sealed when Gabriel Edwards made the most of space out wide to complete the scoring with a seventh try.

Delighted Roosters player-coach Paul Ashbridge, who is currently sidelined by a shoulder injury, said: “In games gone by we’ve crumbled under pressure but when it got tough against Centurions the boys dug in and gave everything for each other.”

Roosters face a return trip to St Albans tomorrow.