AFTER watching his side crash out of the Herts Cup on ­Saturday, Royston head coach Kevin Green expects his side to bounce back this coming weekend. The Crows went to Hitchin with the hope of causing an upset. However, after a brave fight, they came away

AFTER watching his side crash out of the Herts Cup on ­Saturday, Royston head coach Kevin Green expects his side to bounce back this coming weekend.

The Crows went to Hitchin with the hope of causing an upset. However, after a brave fight, they came away with a 29-6 defeat.

Royston took an early lead, with fly-half Jason Deards slotting over a penalty after just four minutes.

They held the Herts & Middlesex League One side for the next 20 minutes, before Hitchin went over for an unconverted try.

A second try quickly followed, and there could have been more if not for some brilliant play by the Royston forwards.

And it was the forwards who pressured Hitchin into a mistake moments before half time, with Deards again on hand with a well-taken penalty.

After the break, The Crows played some superb rugby, with Steve Patmore, Steve Mills, and Ricky Guttridge all on fine form.

However, Hitchin started to use the pitch's width to great effect and grabbed two more quick tries which were both converted.

Royston were then dealt a cruel blow when they lost substitute Michael Schurch through injury and were forced to play the remainder of the game with 14 men.

With five minutes left, Hitchin exploited the extra man and sealed their place in the second round.

Green said: "Despite the defeat I was pleased with our performance.

"The scoreline certainly did not reflect the overall pattern of the game. I thought our forwards did particularly well, and at times I think we played some of the best rugby I have seen all season."

The Crows host Mill Hill on the Heath on Saturday, 2.15pm, with Green targeting all three points.

They will be without Shaun McDermott, and Jamie Green, who broke his leg playing for the seconds on Saturday.

Green said: "They're both important players for us, and it's a big blow to lose them . However, we have a strong squad and I'm sure whoever comes in will do a good job.