ROYSTON Rugby Club s talented under-14s claimed another piece of silverware on Sunday with victory in the Colchester Rugby Festival Shield Competition. Nineteen teams took part, with The Crows impressing with their skill and commitment. In a strong pool,

ROYSTON Rugby Club's talented under-14s claimed another piece of silverware on Sunday with victory in the Colchester Rugby Festival Shield Competition.

Nineteen teams took part, with The Crows impressing with their skill and commitment.

In a strong pool, Royston started brightly with tries from James Clare (2) and Max Scott, and a Louis Boulter conversion setting them on the road to a commanding 17-0 win against Old Elthamians.

However, they came unstuck against a powerful Barking side, and conceded three tries without reply, losing 19-0.

In their third game, against Bedford, Royston went down 14-0.

However, they found their rhythm in their final group game with a sparkling 12-0 win over Colchester B.

Clare opened the scoring with a storming run following a rolling maul, before Tom Stone pounced on Boulter's clever kick.

The win was enough for Royston to secure third place and progress through to the semi-final of the shield competition that featured the rest of the third-placed teams.

Against Woodford, Josh Maynard opened the scoring with a well-worked try in the corner.

Moments later, Clare added a second with a powerful run from his own 22 metre line before touching down under the posts. James Murdock grabbed a third, with Boulter kicking the extra points in a 19-0 victory.

The Crows then met Saffron Walden in the shield final, and after a tentative start by both teams, it took a skillful kick from Boulter to find the running Maynard to open the account.

Saffron Walden rallied and drove Royston deep into their own half and nabbed a deserved try, following some clever play by their centres.

Trailing 7-5, Royston hit back in the second half, with Boulter's quick penalty finding Clare, who fed the ball to Stone, who outpaced the Saffron Walden defence for another try.

Boulter converted to give Royston a deserved 12-7 victory.