A JOSH Hughes hat-trick helped Royston under 11s to victory over neighbours Reed and continued their fine start to the season. Alert fielding was the difference between the two sides, with Royston s score of 241 and Reed s 216 failing to reflect a tight

A JOSH Hughes hat-trick helped Royston under 11s to victory over neighbours Reed and continued their fine start to the season.

Alert fielding was the difference between the two sides, with Royston's score of 241 and Reed's 216 failing to reflect a tight and exciting last three overs.

Royston under 12s finally got their season underway with a league fixture at Hardwicke after all their previous matches had been cancelled.

Batting first, Royston failed to impress, with the top order being blown away, and only Philip Hall (15 not out) and Paul Leary (12) getting into double figures.

Royston finished on 77 for eight wickets off their 20 overs.

Despite good bowling from Max McLean who took three wickets, and Ben Seabrook with two, there were never enough runs to stop Hardwicke reaching the total in the 18th over, losing seven wickets in the process.

On a very low bouncing wicket Royston under 13s also found runs hard to come by.

After 10 overs they found themselves on 21-3 against Cokenach, but then a stand between Adam Wright (24) and Bonham Harper (8) helped Royston finish their innings on 61-6.

Royston bowlers set about defending the low total with a good spell from Leon Gibson, and a superb run out and direct hit from Harper which left Cokenach on 13-2.

However, some fine shots in a 45- run partnership took the game away from Royston, and they finally went down by six wickets.