A YOUTHFUL Royston team entertained The Mordens at Therfield in the first round of the Keatley Cup and chalked up their first victory of the season. The hosts elected to field first in this 16-over fixture, and within minutes Martyn Tokley had taken an e

A YOUTHFUL Royston team entertained The Mordens at Therfield in the first round of the Keatley Cup and chalked up their first victory of the season.

The hosts elected to field first in this 16-over fixture, and within minutes Martyn Tokley had taken an early wicket dismissing Newland for one.

However, his dismissal cleared the path for Mordens' Ben Ingrey, who alongside Carlton (31) put Royston's seam bowling to the sword.

Then Royston's fielders swung into gear to turn the table, with Carlton being run out, Ingrey (38) being caught on the boundary by Dave Sladen, and Royston's Paul Miller keeping a cool head to run out Duncan Warner.

Some good late bowling, particularly from Tokley, kept the Mordens score down to 117-6.

In reply Royston skipper Craig Holson set off like a man on a mission, hitting a vast array of sweetly timed shots in 49 from just 33 deliveries.

At the other end, while starved of the strike, Matt Graham proved an able foil, scoring 16 from 19 deliveries.

Miller (30) also showed a calm display of controlled shots - with one monster six the pick of the action.

He was assisted well by Matt Gillham (13) and it was enough to see Royston home with ease, with eight wickets and nine balls to spare.