St.Ives Roosters played North Herts Crusaders on Saturday for the third time this season. Roosters had won the previous 2 fixtures between the two sides so North Herts were determined not to concede a 3rd defeat and a win would see them secure a 4th place playoff spot. For the Roosters, their 2nd place was confirmed before kick off as leaders Bedford and 3rd place St.Albans were both disappointingly handed 18-0 walkovers.

Roosters were still missing Paul Ashbridge, Adam Peel and Murphy Hill through injury. Whilst Chris Morton and Tommy Newman were absent due to work commitments. Rhod Howcroft and Cammy Howson who scored 4 and 3 tries respectively the previous week were in the side as well as Mickey Drake who missed last weeks fixture due to illness.

The game started in the same way as both of the previous meetings, a tight, tough tackling affair with neither side able to break through. But Roosters did take the first score when strong running from Josh Dear and Rhod Howcroft drew in defenders and Lewis Hall found space out wide and beat two defenders before touching down. Unconverted. 4-0. North Herts then went down the other end to score a converted try before Chris Sykes flopped over from the play of the ball on the Crusaders line to put the Roosters back in the lead, a move that I'm sure his older brother Dave has been teaching him since they were kids. 8-6

Crusaders came back at the Roosters though and scored 2 converted tries before the break. 8-18 at half time.

The Crusaders continued their charge in the second half and scored another converted try after some poor tackling from the Roosters on their own line. 8-24. And that score seemed to wake the Roosters up.

Roosters, playing up the hill, started to complete their sets and took advantage of some ill discipline from the Crusaders and camped out on their try line. A few strong drives and good lines ran by the forwards led to the ball being flung out wide through several pairs of hands before finding Stefan Gallucci to finish well in the corner. 12-24.

Roosters could sense a comeback and Barney West evaded 3 tackles before racing the length of the field only to be caught 10 metres out. Sam Redhead showed great support by being the first man behind West to pick up the ball and finish off what his teammate had started. Converted by Lewis Hall. 18-24.

And it was Redhead again, who was having a cracking game in the centre, to bring the Roosters within 2 points with 15 minutes left. Chris Sykes broke first and made yards before Jack Blackley took the ball on a scoot and took the Roosters further up field. The ball was fed through Drake who in turn found Redhead who beat his man and made it to the line. 22-24.

But then the Roosters must've thought the job was done because the attacking mindset changed and they found themselves on the back foot. Poor defence from the Roosters around the ruck led to two tries in the last few minutes as Crusaders secured their win.

Roosters now face St.Albans Centurions in the playoff semi final next week and Captain Mickey Blackley will be looking for a reaction, he said 'Today summed our season up. The first half we were flat and uninspiring. In the second half we played the rugby we know we're capable of. Our performances have been inconsistent but we've still finished 2nd in the table and have a great chance of making the grand final with a home playoff next week. League form goes out the window now and on our day I think we can beat anyone.'