Rovers reap benefits of development

ROVERS were in seventh heaven at the weekend when they came top of the Sure Mobile U-16 Development League.

The blue-and-whites' 7-3 victory over rivals St Martin's at Port Soif on Sunday saw them take the honours in what has been a tight competition.

According to Rovers' under-16 coach Mark Pemberton, North, Vale Rec, Saints and themselves were all in the running at various points during the campaign.

'At the start of the season we were one of the favourites, but it's been one of the closest leagues for a long time,' he said.

'There's always been a couple of points in it so to come out on top was a really good result.

'We had a bit of a dip in the middle of the season and we went into two games against Vale Rec and North, who had already beaten us, knowing that we needed to win them to win the league.

'It says a lot about the team's character.'

Rovers' seven goals against Saints came courtesy of captain and striker Kane De Carteret, who bagged four, and Sam Murray, who scored a hat-trick.