Vienna Celtic Vets 5 Royston Rugby Vets 17 ROYSTON Vets maintained their excellent record abroad after travelling to Vienna and beating the Celtic Vets quite convincingly. Within minutes of the game starting Royston knew they were in for a competitive mat

Vienna Celtic Vets 5 Royston Rugby Vets 17

ROYSTON Vets maintained their excellent record abroad after travelling to Vienna and beating the Celtic Vets quite convincingly.

Within minutes of the game starting Royston knew they were in for a competitive match as their hosts hit the rucks hard, cleared out the Royston players and recycled the ball quickly to their backs.

Royston were not helped in the fast first period with injuries to Roy Phillips and Paul Dacey but both were able to hobble on and helped the team regroup as Royston began to take control.

Royston controlled the line outs with Phillips and Jason Downes jumping well and the scrummages with props Kevin Green and Tim Boyce powering the front row.

The visitors began to play some good stuff as Colin Dacey, back at scrum-half after a long lay off, ordered the troops around.

His quick passing away from the danger areas gave his brother Paul to either kick into the spaces behind Vienna's onrushing defence or release the powerful runners Steve Bristow and Steff Gordon.

Vienna had problems with Bristow's running and one such surge saw him crash through the defence and dive for the line.

The Crows had their noses in front but Vienna's attacking style made Royston defend to the man.

The back row of Luckman, Rocky and Downes nailed the attackers and with the pack now beginning to gain turnover ball Royston were finding the spaces to attack.

Royston's second try was pure speed of passing as with the ball passing across the width of the pitch winger Cameron Murdoch found space on the outside and he was away down the line and then ducked inside the covering defence.

Another five points were on the board but the winning margin was still small with Vienna beginning to press with attacking moves.

The second half brought on a few changes for Royston with Brian Bergin and Si Rees going into the second row, and they were quickly into the action with charging runs.

Pushing Vienna onto the back foot and denying them the ball, Royston's winning margin was still small and Vienna were looking strong.

Steve Luckman crashed over the line for Royston's third try after some good work from Murdoch and Dacey, and with Dacey adding a conversion a victory with 15 minutes left looked likely.

Vienna were not going to lose without a fight, however, and with the Royston's back line disrupted by injuries the last passages of play became rather desperate for the visitors.

The Crows' defence held well and apart from a Vienna try in the dying minutes Royston claimed another tour victory.

Royston: Green, Howell, Boyce, Cottrell, Phillips Rabbetts, Downes, Luckman, C Dacey, P Dacey, Murdoch, Bristow, Gordon, Crook, Payne. Subs used: Bergin, Rees, Johnson, Hoile.