Royston III 2 Royston IV 1 ROYSTON thirds maintained their position at the top of the South West Division Seven, as well as the bragging rights, with a hard fought victory against Royston fourths. The thirds dominated the midfield with their skill and pa

Royston III 2 Royston IV 1

ROYSTON thirds maintained their position at the top of the South West Division Seven, as well as the bragging rights, with a hard fought victory against Royston fourths.

The thirds dominated the midfield with their skill and patience, while the fourths impressed with their determination and drive.

And it was the fourths who started the game looking the more lively, with Tim Yow, Colin Smith, and man-of-the-match Mike Parsons taking the game forward.

However, Andy Simmons of the thirds broke through to win a penalty corner which was slotted home to open the deadlock.

The fourths rued their early squandered chances as Steve Gould went close and thirds keeper Rob Frost making a number of good saves.

In the second half the fourths settled the quickest before conceding a penalty.

Keeper Chris Markham saved, but the rebound was hammered home.

But the fourths hit back, determined to make a game of it, and their efforts were rewarded when Yow set up Colin Bateman with an easy finish at the back post.

The fourths continued to press forward in search of an equaliser, with Mike Papworth and Parsons looking to create chances. However, the thirds defence held strong.

Overall it was a fair result, with the thirds just doing enough to secure the points in their search for promotion.

Royston 7 Stevenage II 2

OWEN Russell's hat-trick helped Royston to an impressive victory on Saturday.

After a slow start, Royston found their stride and took the game to their opponents with their opening goal coming from a clinical short corner fired home by Dave Barker.

Stevenage could not contain the hosts' pace and within minutes Russell had doubled the Royston lead, before Dan Smith slotted home goal number three having had three bites of the cherry.

The visitors did pull one back with a deflected effort, before adding a well-worked second to turn the heat on Royston.

However, the Crows hit Stevenage on the break and after an impressive move in the middle of the park, Russell added his second of the game.

In the second half, Royston extended their control when Andy Drage calmly despatched a penalty, before Russell completed his hat-trick with a fine close range effort.

Barker completed the rout late on, ghosting through to finish with a powerful strike.

Royston II 7 Stevenage III 3

AFTER last weekend's narrow defeat to league leaders Letchworth, Royston took out their frustrations on Stevenage.

Much of the early play belonged to Royston, with Sam Polge typifying the Crows' flowing hockey, as he ran the Stevenage defence ragged.

Royston opened their account with Ralf Louwers slapping the ball home at the far post, and he doubling the lead moments later with another cool finish.

Louwers completed his hat-trick shortly after when he slipped the ball home at the far post, before Stevenage snatched a goal against the run of play.

Darren Hicks and Louwers combined just before half time, with Matt Allsopp finishing a brilliant attacking move.

Soon after the restart Royston had goal number five with the impressive Louwers on hand once more with a confident close-range strike.

Stevenage grabbed two more of their own either side of Polge's scrambled effort, before Chris Watson crashed home to complete a comfortable win.

Royston Ladies III 1 Saffron Walden Ladies V 3

DESPITE a good start, Royston slipped up against a strong Saffron Walden side.

Gemma Whitby, Heather Polge, Sarah Warren, and Caroline Yarrow all caused problems for the visitors early on, with their movement of the ball particularly impressive.

However, their opponents responded with three first-half strikes, with a show of attacking hockey.

But Royston refused to throw in the towel, with Gemma Luckman, Tash Ball, and Teresa Smith doing their best to keep things tight at the back.

In the second half, it was Royston who made the breakthrough with Yarrow finding player-of-the-match Sarah Warren for a deserved goal.