IT was a disappointing league start for Royston, as they lost by 82 runs to rivals Foxton. Bowling first, Royston had just the start they needed, when Paul Miller caught Paul Dean for just two off Richard Temple, and debutant Ben Warren then had Foxton s

IT was a disappointing league start for Royston, as they lost by 82 runs to rivals Foxton.

Bowling first, Royston had just the start they needed, when Paul Miller caught Paul Dean for just two off Richard Temple, and debutant Ben Warren then had Foxton's opener Sam Sabey caught and bowled for 11.

And Warren helped bag another wicket when his long hop towards the leg boundary was smashed into the path of Ashley Judge - and suddenly Warren found himself on a potential hat-trick.

Royston continued to take wickets at regular intervals and Foxton slipped to 134 for 7.

However, Foxton's eighth-wicket partnership did enough to take their team to 218 before they went in the 43rd over.

In reply, Royston made a poor start, with Ken Graham being dismissed for a duck, and despite Simon Seabrook and Matthew Graham spending time at the crease, it was slow going for their batsmen.

The pace was temporarily picked up by captain Craig Holson with 31, and Judge and Temple did manage to take their side past the 120-run mark to ensure that Royston took eight out of a possible 10 bonus points.

Captain Holson said: "Unfortunately their score always looked about 30-40 runs too many for us, and once we lost wickets it was always going to just be a case of picking up as many bonus points as possible."

n A makeshift Royston second team began their CCA Junior League Division 3 South season with a 100- run defeat against Foxton seconds, courtesy of a magnificent Nigel Howlett century.

After losing the toss, Royston were asked to bowl and made steady progress through the hosts' batting order.

But a superb 119 from Foxton opener Hewitt, and some big hitting from the agressive Tom Williams (28) and Andy Kimsey (27) gave the hosts a comfortable lead.

A number of players made their Royston debuts, and new boys Toby Flynn and Naveed Ahmad caused Foxton problems throughout with some tenacious bowling.

Royston were always going to struggle to get close to Foxton's 266-9, but Mick Miller and Safwan Akram did offer some hope.

But once Akram departed for a spirited 27, their slim chance of victory quickly disappeared.

Miller's gritty unbeaten 83 was the best score by a Royston second team batsman since 2005.