ROYSTON under-11s began their competitive season at the Great Shelford tournament. Royston started the first game against Saffron Walden with an inexperienced side and in the first few minutes the Saffron centre pierced the heart of the Royston defence wi

ROYSTON under-11s began their competitive season at the Great Shelford tournament.

Royston started the first game against Saffron Walden with an inexperienced side and in the first few minutes the Saffron centre pierced the heart of the Royston defence with two quick tries.

This Royston side has character and decided to dig deep with their scrum starting to exert pressure.

The front row of Charlie Pearson, Jamie Capewell and Jack Storey dominated the scrums and Zac Holson and Joseph Ellison provided the power in the second row.

This pressure started to take effect and after a strong scrum Nathan King fed Will Tyrell who went over for Royston's first try, which Lyle Clarke competently converted.

With their tails up, Royston began to dominate all over the field and after good work from Jamie Drage and Oscar Ayliffe, James Sharpe finished with aplomb.

Joseph Simons converted.

Royston continued their pressure and a strong run from Jack Harvey and a jinking run by Ashley Jones were finished off by Tyrell for his second try, converted again by Simons, for a 21-10 win.

In the second game against a strong Shelford side, Royston were unable to repeat their earlier success and lost 14-0.

Shelford came out of the traps quickly and put Royston under significant pressure and good defending from Cameron Denchfield and Edward Shannon kept Shelford at bay before Royston got themselves into the game.

Great forward play by Jake Letch and Charlie Bartlett kept Shelford entrenched onto their own try line, before a break away try put Shelford ahead.

Royston continued to pressure, but as the forwards tired Shelford scored their second try for a close fought victory.

The man-of-the-match was Will Tyrell.

Royston forwards coach, Colin Snatch, heaped praise on his forwards saying: "I am proud of the way the boys performed, who showed great heart and courage.

"Although there were some technical issues, I am sure the boys will show me their form in the next few games we have planned.