The Conference season finally got underway for the Roosters with a scrappy victory away at Northampton. The Roosters line up included several debutants replacing some prominent departures from last season, notably Michael Sykes who last week signed for Super League side Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.
The game was played under cold grey skies on a soaking wet pitch and the conditions combined with some over fussy referreeing made the game a disappointment as a spectacle. The Roosters game plan was immediately disrupted when hooker Andrew Dean was poleaxed in the third minute by a reckless Northampton tackle. The game was held up as Dean, who was unconscious for 2 minutes, was attended to by paramedics. After a 30 minute delay the game resumed. The Roosters immediately took the initiative and David Sykes was soon able to barge over for the first try.
The Roosters were able to regain a short restart and after an exchange of knock-ons James Sherman took advantage of strong Roosters pressure to add a second try. The game then entered a very disjointed phase. Early season rustiness and a slippery ball meant completion rates were low for both sides and the continuity was further hampered by and endless flow of niggly penalties. The play the ball area was frequently messy and the Roosters suffered another casualty when half back Jimmy Allen had his neck drilled into the turf after the ball had gone.
The Roosters contuinued to dominate territorially and a third close range try was well taken by the experienced second rower Steve Burke followed by a fourth when loose forward Michael Drake dummied through a gap.
Northampton's lack of discipline finally tested the referee's patience too far and both their half backs were sent to the sin bin. The Roosters tried to exploit the resulting numerical advantage but over elaborated and blew several good opportunities. The scoring for the half was eventually completed by Northampton going over on the right for a half time score of 4-22.
The messy pattern of play continued into the second half as the rain returned and the penalty count increased. The Roosters harshly lost Jack Blackley to the sin bin and following a succesion of penalties, Northampton were able to exploit some rare field position to score a second try. With the deficit back to 12 points Northampton gained some confidence and an unlikely come back suddenly looked possible. The Roosters supporters were relieved when a promising Northampton move on the right was snuffed out by Blackley who had recently returned from the sin-bin.
Back to full strength the Roosters began to reassert control. Strong running from Charles Paxton and Eddie Embley started to break the Northampton line and open up space for team mates. New boy Chris Saunders made some lively contributions bringing the ball out of defence. Then on 60 minutes the move of the game saw Saunders combine with James Bennett and Drake in midfield. Drake was able to release man of the match Paxton who ran strong and straight to score in the right corner the try that was to prove decisive.
Northampton were able to rouse themselves for a long range solo try to complete the scoring at 14-26
Roosters Acting Coach Steve Bennett said "there is a lot of room for improvement but it was good to get underway with a win away from home, even though it was pretty ugly at times". The Roosters season continues next Saturday 24 May against Colchester. This is the first home game of the season. Kick off is a 2.30, all are welcome and admission is free.