Royston Hockey Club round-up

ROYSTON HOCKEY Club Men’s Is earned a convincing 5-1 win over Shefford & Sandy on Saturday.

A brace of goals by both Owen Russell and Mike Welding set up a comfortable win and it was Royston who began strongly punching in a two goal lead after just seven minuets, and remained dominant for the majority of the match.

Much sharper than there opponents, the Hosts ball pace cut through Shefford, and with Nick Hurd adding a third, they took a healthy lead into the half time break.

Royston once again came out strongly with the intention of maintaining the high level of play. Welding soon slotted in his first, and after a whole clutch of outer chances going begging, knocked in Royston’s fifth. Disappointingly for the home side, the visitors managed to get a goal back from there only shot of the game with a nicely taken goal.

The Men’s IIs also recorded a 5-1 victory in their match against bottom of the table Berkhampstead.

After a bright start from the visitors it was the home side Berkhampsted who scored the opening goal against the run of play. Royston continued to play quick attacking hockey and equalised with another goal from the in-form Michael Priest.

Nigel Phillips then put Royston in front with a well taken finish after a good save from the ‘keeper. Royston’s third came from the courtesy of Nick Broadley’s short corner and James Arnold completed the first half goal tally with a fine strike.

They finally scored the fifth and final goal with a well taken penalty flick from captain Darren Hicks to record a fine win.

The Men’s IIIs were disappointed after being held to a 2-2 draw with Welwyn Garden City IVs.

Welwyn went ahead early on before the temper of the match changed in the 12th minute, when an off-the-ball altercation left Royston’s Stephen Gourd with a fractured finger. The Welwyn player involved was sent off for violent conduct, whilst Gourd was sin-binned for his part in the incident.

Gourd set-up an equaliser on his return to the fray, as his run and cross from the left flank found Colin Bateman unmarked on the far post for an easy finish.

Welwyn moved back in front via a short corner, a right slip catching the Royston defence out of position to allow an unopposed shot that gave ‘keeper Dan Orme no chance.

Royston drew level again when they also converted a short corner, when Bateman, positioned just outside the left post, deflected in a Tim Yow pass. Welwyn finished the match with only nine men on the field, after their skipper was sin-binned for dissent. Despite this two man advantage, Royston failed to create clear cut chances as they consistently took the wrong options, trying to go directly at goal either on the pass or the dribble rather than working around the outside of the outnumbered visitors.

The Ladies Is suffered a 6-1 defeat to Stevenage Is with Sarah Buckerfield scoring Royston’s only goal of the match. The Ladies IIIs suffered a worse result as they were beaten 7-0 at the hands of Letchworth IVs.