Royston 9 Bishop s Stortford III 2 ROYSTON were on cloud nine as they gained revenge for their early-season defeat against Stortford with a comprehensive victory. The hosts began brightly, and took the lead from Owen Russell s first of the day, and

Royston 9 Bishop's Stortford III 2

ROYSTON were on cloud nine as they gained revenge for their early-season defeat against Stortford with a comprehensive victory.

The hosts began brightly, and took the lead from Owen Russell's first of the day, and with Royston dominating, it was not long before Graham Mack doubled their lead.

Stortford tried to push forward but were unable to break the defence or handle the pace of the home side.

The visitors finally managed to get themselves on the scoresheet, but further goals from Nick Ross, Nathan Sugden and Nick Hurd gave Royston a comfortable advantage.

Stortford came out strongly in the second half, and caused Royston some defensive problems.

Goalkeeper Chris Markham was lucky to stay on the pitch aftergiving away a penalty, which was missed by the visiting player.

A mixture of strong defending and ineffective attacking play meant that Stortford only managed to get one goal from their early pressure.

After weathering the storm, Royston threatened to score once again, and did so with Russell's second. Ross quickly added another from an excellent short corner, and Russell completed his hat-trick.

Dan Smith scored the ninth late on to wrap up a memorable victory.

Bedford Town III 5 Royston II 3

A POOR start cost Royston dearly as they lost out in this eight-goal thriller.

The visitors started slowly and a fast, mobile Bedford side took full advantage and established a commanding three-goal advantage inside the first quarter of the game. With the prospect of another heavy defeat looming, Royston raised their game and started to put the Bedford side under pressure.

This effort was rewarded when they converted one of a series of short corners with a Richard Huby flick.

Royston continued to remain competitive in the second half and despite a well finished goal from Kevin Blinks and a second converted short corner from Richard Huby, they were unable to prevent the home side from maintaining their two goal advantage and running out comfortable winners.

Broxbourne VI 3 Royston III 5

VICTORY at Broxbourne on Saturday maintained Royston's bid for promotion.

The home side rushed into an early two-goal lead, but Royston started to string together a few passes, and eventually the passes turned into attacking moves and by half-time Royston were level.

The opening goal from new centre half Simon Campbell flicking over the advancing keeper followed quickly by a set piece short corner with Sam Polge passing the ball to Paul Bloomfield to slip it right to Colin Bateman to shoot near post for Polge to touch in.

The second half was a totally different situation, with Royston pushing hard with Campbell foraging into the Broxbourne defence.

From one of these attacks the ball came to Tim Yow, whose shot hit the bar and spiralled up and dropped towards the far post where Bloomfield was waiting, and as he forced the ball over the line a defender pushed him into the post. Luckily he dropped his stick to stop what could have been a nasty accident.

It did not take long before left winger Colin Bateman took his tally to 15 for the season with an unusual solo effort beating a player and creaming the ball from the top of the D high into the net with the keeper totally flat footed.

Royston then let Broxbourne back into the game with a short corner that was converted, but challenged by the defence as being struck from outside the D.

Michael Welding and Polge then took the game by the scruff of the neck and as Broxbourne tired they turned up the tempo and pushed out of defence on the right and started to press hard.

As with last week it was Polge who with textbook hockey inter-changed passes with Welding to then slip the ball past the advancing keeper to gift Bloomfield his 20th of the season.

Winchmore Hill and Enfield V 2 Royston V 3

RICHARD Bowen scored a brace as Royston returned from Middlesex with the league points.

Royston's better hockey came in the first half with all three goals being scored by half time.

Bowen opened the scoring before a well-taken effort from Steve Gourd made it 2-0.

Winchmore Hill looked stunned as Richard Bowen made it three just before the break. he second half was scrappier and with Royston being put under more pressure, two goals were scored by the home side.

Royston though were able to hold on to their advantage and the match finished with the three points going to Royston.