Royston Hockey Club round-up

ROYSTON Men’s Is ended their disappointing run of results with a fine 4-3 win at home to second placed Hertford Is on Saturday.

The Hosts took the lead early on from a short corner, harshly awarded against Hertford, but slotted in by debutant Neil Rogers.

The visitors pushed for an equaliser which was found with a well finished short corner. A strong period of play from Royston and the cool head of Neil Rogers after a quality through-ball by Owen Russell soon re-established their advantage.

The second half was more even with both teams hustling for the points. The home side put some daylight between the teams with a goal by Sam Polge before a questionable short corner, this time in Hertford’s favor saw the lead reduced. However, Royston showed the spirit that had eluded them so far this season and once again went two ahead from Owen Russell’s finish before Hertford grabbed their third and final goal with 10 minutes remaining.

The Men’s IIs recorded a convincing 5-1 win over Winchmore Hill & Enfield IIs despite having only 11 men.

The hockey was vibrant but no clean cut chances came until the opposition broke away and slotted the ball home. Minutes later Royston broke and a goal mouth scramble gave Nigel Phillips an equaliser from close range.

Royston improved in the second half with Man of the Match James Arnold at the heart of everything.

Royston’s second goal came from a short corner strike from Nick Broadley before a third was deflected in by Nigel Phillips from a Mark Jacobs cross. Two quickly taken self-pass free-hits by Mark Jacobs led to two further goals, the second of which almost ripped a hole in the net, leaving the final score at 5-1.

The Men’s IIIs recovered deficits on four occasions on their way to drawing 5-5 with West Herts Vs and earning their first point of the season.

West Herts’ early opener was cancelled out when Nick Freeman fizzed a shot into the top corner from the edge of the circle. The visitors responded with goals either side of half-time to move into a 3-1 lead. The Crows halved this deficit when Stephen Gourd deflected home Freeman’s flicked penalty corner attempt.

The sides then engaged in a tit-for-tat exchange of four goals in as many minutes. Freeman drew Royston level for the second time in the match when he jabbed home James Johnson’s cross but West Herts were back in front with an attack straight from the restart. Royston brought themselves to parity again when Gourd’s penalty corner flick found the far corner, only for West Herts to again re-establish their lead, at 5-4.

The match calmed down a little at this point, and a whole nine minutes elapsed before Tim Yow finished off a flowing team moved that involved six players and covered eighty yards.

The Men’s IVs lost their unbeaten record with a 3-0 defeat to Luton Town IIIs despite good performances once again from Josh Hughes, Bailey Farmer, John Gourd and Oliver Stewart.

The Ladies’ Is drew 3-3 with Leighton Buzzard Is and went ahead early on through Wendy Holt.

Buzzard soon equlaised, though, before Clare Perry found the back of the net to restore the lead.

Despite Royston playing some of their best hockey they conceded again. Chrissy Fayers slipped the ball passed the ‘keeper to again take the lead but they were unable to hold on as Buzzard went on to score a third.

The Ladies’ Is went down 5-0 to Tring IIs on a disappointing afternoon.

Injuries meant they had a depleted side from the off and Tring proved too strong.

The Ladies’ IIIs wre narrowly beaten 3-2 by Leighton Buzzard.

Buzzard went into a three-goal lead in the second half but Royston picked themselves up and Player of the Match Lara Gibson converted Caroline Yarrow’s short corner.

A few minutes later, Sarah Holland brought the ball up from defence and interlinked well with Lisa Thompson and Hannah Mardell, the latter of whom scored Royston’s second goal. Royston played well but were unable to find the equaliser.