A devastating defeat to basement club Old Millhillians leaves third-bottom Royston RFC deep in the mire with just three Herts/Middlesex 1 games to go.

The first half saw the Crows defending against an impetuous attack by the Middlesex side.

Both sides missed penalty kicks early on however, Millhillians’ expansive play soon paid off as they scored the first try of the day.

The saving grace for Royston was the inaccuracy of the Millhillians’ kicking, as the hosts put two more tries past the Crows but missed all three conversions.

The second half saw a renewal of the Millhillians attack, scoring another try, but once again failing to convert.

Royston upped their game slightly and were rewarded with a try.

Several phases of aggressive play by the forwards saw Ollie Brooke safely across the line, followed up by a conversion from Dom Dunklin to reduce the arrears to 20-7.

Millhillians responded with another try, taking victory further from the grasp of Royston.

With just 10 minutes remaining Royston once again went on the offence racking up the phases and moving forward, allowing Nick Alford to find a gap and make a dive for the try-line.

Once again Dunklin slotted the conversion, however time was not on the side of the Crows with the final whistle signalling defeat.

The league takes a one-week break before Royston face second-bottom Bank of England on April 2.