A spirited performance by St Ives Roosters was not enough for them to overcome hosts Hainault Bulldogs in a tough encounter at Barking. Top of the table Hainault needed a victory to virtually secure the RLC Eastern Division Championship but a depleted Roosters made it difficult on the day.
Roosters missing four first team forwards started the game brightly and gained good field position after the Bulldogs conceded three early penalties. This allowed Michael Drake an early opportunity to open the scoring with a penalty under the posts. Roosters continued to take the game to their hosts and nearly extended their lead. Moving the ball wide allowed opportunities for Eddie Embley and Paul Ashbridge to score but the scrambling Bulldogs defence bundled them into touch on both occasions.
Hainault hit back in the middle of the half when a break in the Centre of the field allowed them to score under the posts. The conversion was missed which gave them a lead of 4 - 2. They quickly extended the lead when the Roosters defence failed to deal with a high kick. The ball was allowed to bounce twice and was gathered by a Bulldogs player who crossed easily over the line. The conversion was successful as they extended their lead to 10 - 2.
The Roosters hit back through veteran hooker Andy Dean. The Roosters moved the ball up the field and were camped on the line. Dean spotted a gap in the defence at the play the ball and scored one of his customary short range tries. Unfortunately the conversion was missed.
In the last 10 minutes of the game the Roosters defence tired and allowed the Bulldogs to establish a lead that would win them the game. With the score in their favour at 10 - 6 they extended their lead with a poor try from the Roosters point of view. The St Ives side had worked hard to turn a Hainault player on his back over the line. Unfortunately from the 10 metre restart the ball was moved wide across the pitch for a converted try. Once again the Roosters defence fell asleep as the Hainault fullback kicked early on the second tackle with a deep punt. The chasing Bulldogs players regathered the ball for another converted try to make the half time score 22 - 6.
The second half started in unsavoury fashion. Roosters Kupyn being kicked and stamped on by Hainualt player. This resulted in a brawl which was made worse by Hainault substitutes joining in. When the referee restored order he decided to send off two Roosters substitutes and one Hainault player. The Roosters players being dismissed for entering the field of play. It was a very strange decision by the referee as he appeared not to see the five Hainault players, wearing yellow fluorescent bibs, enter the field of play and join in the melee.
With order restored Hainault extended their lead further with another converted try from a tap penalty. Roosters did hit back through and didn't give up. Once again they pressed the Bulldogs line which led to a Bulldogs player being held up over their line. From the resulting drop out, Paul Ashbridge, regathered the ball and crossed the line.
The final try of the game summed up the Roosters day. Once again they pressed the line but a kick towards the line rebounded off a Hainault player who collected the ball and raced the length of the pitch. This made the final score 34 - 10 to Hainault.
The Roosters play their final game of the season at home to Greenwich Admirals on Saturday 9th August. The game will be played at St Ives RFC with a 2.30pm kick off.