Royston 2 Letchworth II 2 ROYSTON were left frustrated as they were forced to share the East League points on Saturday. The away team soon went a goal up and could have increased their lead if not for some resilient defending. Outnumbered in midfield, th

Royston 2 Letchworth II 2

ROYSTON were left frustrated as they were forced to share the East League points on Saturday.

The away team soon went a goal up and could have increased their lead if not for some resilient defending.

Outnumbered in midfield, the home side were pinned back and reduced to sporadic attacks.

After some half-time changes Royston soon began to play some of their best hockey, with Nick Freeman equalising from the penalty spot.

Chris Markham kept out the few Letchworth shots and Dave Barker and Andy Drage finally took control of central midfield.

Royston went ahead through a fine strike by Dan Smith.

The hosts should have gone further ahead when Smith put an open goal chance wide and Drage had what seemed a perfectly good goal disallowed.

With minutes to play Letchworth scored their second to draw the match. For Royston this was two points lost, rather than one gained.

Royston II 1 Bedford IV 3

A POOR first half performance left Royston humbled as they failed to build on last weeks performance.

Royston never seemed to get out of first gear for the first 35 minutes and Bedford quickly capitalised by swamping the hostsin the middle of the pitch.

Their constant pressure was rewarded with a goal after 15 minutes with another being slotted in soon after.

Moments before half-time Royston were dealt another blow as centre forward Chris Watson hobbled off with an ankle injury.

Royston managed to pick themselves up at half time and despite being a man down they started to mount some pressure on the Bedford defence with some good interplay between the midfield and forward line.

Royston's hard work rate, typified by man of the match Ben Jones, paid dividends and they went close on a number of occasions.

They were dealt a cruel blow when Bedford slotted in their third but never gave up.

Their persistence was paid off with a consolation goal edged into the net from Nathan Sugden from a well struck free hit from Rich Huby.

Royston IV 2 Rickmansworth 1

RICKMANSWORTH took the lead from their first short corner of the game and remained in front until the last quarter of the game despite periods of good play by the home side.

Royston's first goal was started by Matt Brunt from a quickly taken line ball deep inside his own half.

A quick exchange of passes down the left hand side resulted in Keith Markham putting through Perry Noble, who calmly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper.

Markham got the winning goal, with only minutes remaining in the game, finishing from close range after fine work down the right from Sam Polge and Perry.

West Herts VI 2 Royston V 1

THIS match started at a fast pace with West Herts having the early chances.

Royston's defence held well until West Herts opened the scoring with a goal from open play.

This seemed to be a trigger for the Royston side to move it up a gear.

Many chances then came Royston's way with some excellent work from the forwards. Royston's equaliser then came from Mark Polge just before half time.

The second half was a well-balanced affair with both sides having shots on goal.

The hosts went ahead half way through the second half. Royston had plenty of fight left though and were unlucky not to have come away with a point having hit a post with just minutes of the match remaining.

Ipswich Vets 14 Royston Vets 0

IPSWICH put on a show as Royston were humbled in the England Hockey Veterans Cup, on Sunday.

To be drawn against one to the top teams in the UK and last years semi-finalists is tough and with Royston's average age nearer 50 to Ipswich's 40 the decade difference took its toll.

Six goals were conceded in the first period from both open play set pieces and short corner routines, leaving Royston dead in their tracks.

With only a bare 11 players there was no room for substitutions yet the team never let their heads drop and never gave up.

Every player enjoyed the experience, and the defeat means Royston will now go into the Plate competition where they will meet other teams from the east region who lost in the first round.