The Roosters were in irrestible form in the second half of a game that produced their best result of the season so far. Boosted by the return of Marco Rossi from international duty and Andrew Dean from injury, the Roosters were keen to make up for the previous week's disappointment against Bedford.
Although missing some key players it was Greenwich who started stronger however. After just 4 minutes stand off Ben Medhurst made an arching run on the right and evaded a couple of weak tackles to score the opening try. He followed up with the conversion to give the visitors a six nil lead. It was only 4 more minutes before the Roosters were to hit back. The referee twice penalised the Admirals for high tackling and Roosters loose forward James Sherman was able to exploit the resulting pressure with a try. Michael Sykes tied the score with the conversion.
Shortly afterward the Roosters lost Charles Paxton to the sin bin for lifting in the tackle that was deemed to be dangerous. Although the resulting penalty was missed, Greenwich were able to exploit their numerical advantage. Ismael Edwards regathered his own clever grubber kick and went over to score. Medhurst again added the conversion.
The Roosters survived the remainder of the sin binning period with no further score but Greenwich added to their lead with a penalty on 28 minutes. The game continued to be punctuated by penalties and on the half our it was the Roosters who were able to take advantage. Dean caught out the Greenwich defence by tapping the ball to himself. The ball was well worked by McCormack and M Sykes and Jack Blackley was put in to score.
Just before half time the Roosters again gained field position from a penalty and Rossi surged through the defence. The Roosters pressed on through the resulting disruption and Rossi was again on hand to score. The conversion was missed and the scores stood at 14 points all at half time.
Turning to play up hill and into a strengthening wind in the second half the Roosters could have been up against it. They rose to the challenge magnificently. After just 2 minutes the forwards swept up field with David Sykes, Dean and Rossi combining to gain 40 metres and to put substitute Jamie Noble in to score. Four minutes later David Sykes fed John Paxton who got a clever off load away for Shearman to score in the corner.
On 49 minutes the Admirals were again on the retreat from the Roosters forwards and conceded a couple of penalties in quick sucession. Spurning the opportunity to kick for goal the Roosters advanced again resulting in a try for Dean with a trademark dive over from dummy half.
Greenwich rallied but were unable to make much ground against some ferocious hits from the Roosters forwards. On 65 minutes the Roosters scored again with the try of the game. From an attack on the right the ball was rapidly switched to the left. Full back Michael Drake came up into the line and put a majestic pass out to Oli Moorhouse on the wing who accelerated past the defence to score. Three minutes later James Yeomans broke the Greenwich line and Michael Sykes scored in the right corner.
A few minutes later a hapless Admirals player was bundled over the touch line by swarming Roosters defenders. From the following scrum the ball was popped out to Drake who rocketed away to score. Further tries from Michael Sykes and Charles Paxton, both converted by Jack Blackley took the cock a hoop Roosters up to 50 points before Edwards got a consolation score for Greenwich in the last minute.
Head Coach Ian Hill was delighted with the win. "That was a great second half performance. The lads showed fantastic committment and will justifiably enjoy that victory."
Next week the Roosters face another crucial game away at Colchester.