St Ives Roosters faint hopes of making the end of season play offs were ended as they went down in lethargic fashion to Colchester Romans.
Coach Ian Hill was disappointed with the performance "This was a game we could have won. We have a talented squad of players but unfortunately we have had a poor season. Today was the game that we were finally found out".
The game started well for the Roosters as they raced into 10 - 0. Early pressure gave the Roosters good field position. The ball was moved wide for Ronan Delaney to score his first try for the club. The lead was extended when an inside ball from Michael Drake opened up the Romans defence for James Yeomans to score under the posts. Jack Blackley converted the try.
Things looked good for the St Ives side but has been the case all season concentration was lost in a vital area of the field. Slack defence and good footwork from the Romans stand off Sadler allowed him to score under the posts and convert his own try to bring Colchester back into the game. This was quickly followed up by a break on the half way line which allowed another try under the posts. This one scored by Pickard. The try was converted to bring the scores level.
With their confidence renewed the Romans took the lead. The Roosters failed to defend a ball that was moved wide. This led to another converted try by Betts who ran 60 meters to score.
With the Roosters looking shell shocked they replied immediately from the kick off. Michael Drake restarted the game with a clever short kick off which he regathered himself. He then fed Steve Burke who skipped through the defence to score under the posts. Blackley added the conversion.
Just before half time the Roosters regained the lead. Pressure on the Colchester line resulted in Eddie Embley crossing from dummy half. Drake added the goal to give the Roosters a half time lead of 20 - 18.
The second half started in positive fashion for the Roosters. They looked to extend the lead and were unfortunate not to do so. James Yeomans made a clean brake and instead going for the line he threw the ball out wide to a supporting player which the referee deemed forward. Jamie Noble then knocked on close to the line.
This allowed Colchester to regain possession and once again they broke from half way to regain the lead with a converted try. The Roosters hit back and were unlucky not to score when Alex Hart crossed the line but didn't manage to ground the ball. The pressure on the line finally allowed them to score when the ball was moved wide by McCormack and Rossi. This allowed Paul Ashbridge to cross the line and ground under the posts. Drake levelled the scores at 28 - 28. With 20 minutes to go this game could have gone either way. Roosters spurned another scoring opportunity near the Colchester line with a knock on. This was harshly punished as once again a break by Sadler on half way allowed him to score under the posts for the Romans to regain the lead.
The Roosters pushed to equalise but a lack of composure led to poor decision making and lack of discipline led them to give away two penalties which Colchester converted to win the game by 36 to 28.
Coach Ian Hill had the final word "Today Colchester did the basics very well. Unfortunately we have struggled to do that all season and that is why we lost the game. You also have to put your body on the line at times and some of players let the side down with that part of the game".
The Roosters are at home to Thetford Titans next Saturday 19th July with a 2.30pm kick off. The game will be played at St Ives RFC, Somersham Road, St Ives.