St Ives Roosters used their free weekend in the RLC Eastern Division to play a London League fixture against Southampton Spitfires. Roosters Coach, Ian Hill, used the game to try out some new players and give the less experienced members of his squad some game time. One of the Roosters new signings clearly made a big impact with former Cambridge Eagle Lee Kupyn scoring a hatrick of tries.
The large Southampton pack exerted early pressure on the Roosters and opened the scoring after 6 minutes with an unconverted try. Roosters hit back with a try from Eddie Embley. Embley was used in the unfamiliar position of hooker and managed to cross the line from close range to bring the Roosters level.
The lead was nearly extended straight away as James Shearman made a break but dropped the ball as he neared the line. He did make amends soon after with a break from the ball to score next to the posts. Jimmy Allen converted to give the Roosters a 10 - 4 lead.
Kupyn then scored his first try of the game from a drive close to the line. The try was converted by Jack Blackley. He followed this up with his second try 5 minutes later. Off loads by Blackley and David Sykes allowed him to cross near the posts with Blackley once again successful with the conversion. This made the half time score 22 - 4.
The Roosters were soon into their stride at the start of the second half with Charles Paxton scoring after receiving a long pass from Allen. The Roosters then lost their composure and let Southampton back into the game. They scored three converted tries in quick succession to bring themselves back into the game 26 - 22. With an upset looking likely the Roosters hit back with Kupyn, using quick footwork, completing his hatrick with Blackley converting the try. The lead was quickly extended by veteran Dan McCormack with a short range drive. Blackley added the conversion. Southampton battled to reduce the Roosters lead and scored another converted try which was to be their final score of the day.
Roosters took control in the last 20 minutes a fine piece of individual skill allowed Paxton to score his second try which was quickly followed by a Blackley try after he was set up by Michael Drake. This extended the lead to 50 - 28.
The final try of the day was by Centre Paul Ashbridge who broke inside his own half to run 60 metres to score in the corner. The difficult kick was converted by Allen to give St Ives a 56 - 28 win.
The Roosters are at home this Saturday to league leaders Hainault Bulldogs in an RLC Eastern Division game. The game kicks off at 2.30pm and will be played at St Ives RFC, Somersham Road.