Royston Ladies II 5 Stevenage III 0 Royston dominated the scoring in this top-of-the-table clash, and did their promotion hopes a power of good. Having lost to Stevenage earlier in the season, Royston were keen to make the most of the confidence gained as

Royston Ladies II 5 Stevenage III 0 Royston dominated the scoring in this top-of-the-table clash, and did their promotion hopes a power of good. Having lost to Stevenage earlier in the season, Royston were keen to make the most of the confidence gained as a team over the last few weeks. They opened the scoring midway through the first half, when some fine play from the midfield gave Lucy Davidson the chance to score. However, despite this early advantage, and some hard work from the forwards, the home side were unable to capitalise on this success before half time. But the floodgates were quick to open in the second half, as Royston stuck to their formation and pressured the visitors. Jules Fuller was the first to change Royston's fortunes with a neat goal. This was quickly followed by probably Royston's goal of the season from player-of-the-match Louise Arnold, who made a run on the right wing, bamboozled two Stevenage defenders and cracked the ball on to the backboard from the edge of the D. Royston never really felt under any pressure from the opposition, and Fuller was free to slot the ball home for their fourth. And they wrapped up victory with a final goal from sweeper Clare Perry, who tapped in a strike from Davidson at the left post. Bishop's Stortford 1 Royston 1 A MUCH-improved performance from Royston saw them earn a draw, and with better finishing they could have won. The visitors started strongly, but it was Stortford who took the lead from a short corner, after a controversial umpiring decision. Royston equalised when Dan Smith linked with Nick Hurd, who fired the ball past the keeper. The visitors should have won the game in the second half, with the home side not having a single shot on goal, and the Royston midfield controlling play. Royston came inches from victory when both Hurd and Smith squandered open goal chances, and Nick Ross failed to finish an excellent opportunity. Although Royston were pleased with the way they played, this will be seen as two points lost rather than a point gained. Royston Ladies III 0 Allenburys 3 THE scoreline did not reflect the impressive hockey Royston played at Bassingbourn Barracks. With several players playing out of position, Royston played a very confident game and were unlucky to concede three goals. There was solid play at the back from Di Hassen and Helen Miles, who put through some excellent balls to the forwards. Rosie Polge made some good runs down the right wing, and Alex Meredith-Hardy, Caroline Yarrow, and Lisa Thompson were all unlucky not to score. Tash Powley had a fine game in goal and made some very good saves, preventing Allenburys for extending their lead even further.