It was cup final heartbreak for the second consecutive year for the St Ives Roosters as they lost to National Regional Champions Coventry Bears in the East Midlands Rugby League 9’s competition. In a repeat of last years final the game proved to be a very aggressive encounter with the Roosters receiving very little support from the referee who appeared to be intimidated by the very vocal home supporters. The Bears who play at a level above the Roosters were put on the back foot straight away when new signing Adam Peel opened the scoring after some good pressure from the Roosters forwards.
The Bears hit back in an aggressive fashion and tempers coming to boiling point between the players. The Roosters were offered little protection as Coventry came back into the game with two quick scores to take a 10 – 4 half time lead. The second half was a repeat of the first but the Roosters added a bit more steel to the game with the Sykes brothers, David and Christopher, leading the Roosters reply. Despite the improved second half performance the Bears secured their deserved victory with two further scores to lift the competition trophy 18 – 4.
Roosters had opened the group stages of the competition with a comfortable 20 – 4 win over Coventry University. Experienced hooker Andy Dean opened the scoring with an aggressive drive to the line. Michael Drake converted the try. The lead was extended to 16 – 0 with further tries by James Shearman and Saul Fatanowabridge with Drake converting one of the tries. At the point and with the game won the Roosters lost concentration which allowed Coventry to cross to score an unconverted try. The Roosters completed the scoring when David Sykes crossed with the final try of the game.
In the second group game the Roosters had a bit of a scare against Telford Raiders before securing a win to move into the semi finals of the competition. The Roosters opened the scoring with a Jamie Noble try. Telford hit back to take a 6 – 4 lead from a converted try. Adam Peel scored a fine individual try to beat to Telford players to touchdown in the corner. He then kicked a touchline conversion to take the Roosters back into the lead. With 5 minutes remaining the Roosters were caught out with a chip kick over their defensive line which resulted in a converted try. With a minute remaining the Roosters were trailing by 2 points when Michael Drake broke through the line to score the match winning try which Peel converted.
Roosters met Leicester Phoenix in the semi final. The Phoenix had been impressive in their group games and the Roosters went into the game as underdogs. This was another close contest as Leicester equalled the scores at 6 – 6 after Roosters had opened the scoring with a Jamie Noble try converted by Peel. Peel then scored another fine individual try which he converted to put the Roosters back in front. Leicester scored the next try but crucially they missed the conversion. As with the previous game Drake once again broke the line to score a last minute try which Peel converted to take the Roosters into the final.
The Roosters are looking to recruit new players and helpers to the club. Training takes place on Wednesday evening at St Ives RFC on Somersham Road St Ives. They open their season with a home game against Norwich City Saxons On Saturday 9th May kick off 2.30pm