Defeat in opener for Royston Rugby Club

ROYSTON narrowly lost their opening league game of the season away to Bank of England last Saturday to record their first lost in any competition in 18 games.

Bank of England started the stronger with Royston seemingly unable to cope their the strength and aggression, this soon took its toll when Bank of England drove over the try line from a five-metre scrum. The conversion was successful.

Royston were struggling to get out of their half and found themselves further behind when BOE added three points from a penalty midway through the half.

However Royston stuck at the task and were rewarded late on in the first half with a try from Tom Dummett who took advantage of a poor line out from BOE to collect the ball and smashed through his opposite man to score, the conversion was successful.

Royston picked their game up straight from the off in the second half with Ben Ritsema getting space in the midfield to skin his man and go round the opposition full back. However BOE responded with an unconverted try moments later.

The game was becoming very intense with both teams pushing for another try but it was Royston who struck first with Lee Gilbert reading the opposition play to intercept a pass and score under the posts for a converted try.

Royston then added a further three points with a penalty kick from Michael Schurch to give them a nine-point lead heading into the closing stages of the game.

However BOE were not about to give up this game and responded with heavy pressure of the Royston defence which was broken when their winger stepped to score an unconverted try.

This made for an edgy last five minutes in which BOE were able to get the win wit the last play of the game.

First team coach Rob Weener said “It’s a lesson well learnt for us today, this is a new league for us and we will need to be at our best to win each game”