Royston back on track
Martin Leary drives one down field - Credit: Archant
Royston returned to winning ways on Saturday with a comfortable five-wicket victory over Cambridge NCI 3rds at Churchill College.
Having won the toss, skipper Paul Harris elected to bowl first. Pete Merrell was rewarded with the wicket of Briggs, caught by Paul Miller at gully for 17, before change bowler Josh Holmes removed new batsman Taylor for four.
Spinner Matt Gillham (10-0-36-2) then left the home side in further trouble at 82-4 with two quick wickets.
Baker (29) and Abbas (24) were able to keep the scoreboard moving slightly until the introduction of Paul Harris to the attack, who ended both men’s innings.
Tight bowling at the death from Leary ensured that NCI were kept to 139-8 from their 40 overs.
You may also want to watch:
In reply, Mick Miller and Paul Leary started brightly, punishing some wayward bowling to move to 22-0 after four overs. The home side did not help themselves, shelling a number of catches.
This became 99-0 before NCI finally found the breakthrough, Miller chopping on for a well-made 48. Leary was joined by brother Martin, and the two kicked on.
Most Read
- 1 'Panic-buying is crippling us' - petrol station owner urges motorists to think before they refuel
- 2 Flexi parking ticket rolled out for hybrid commuters
- 3 Council leader calls for 'kind and courteous' queuing for fuel
- 4 North Herts and Beds villages hit by power cut
- 5 17 of the prettiest streets in North Herts
- 6 Appeal to trace driver after cyclist sustains serious injuries in crash
- 7 Villagers launch bid to raise £200,000 for 14th-century church paintings
- 8 Hertfordshire's adult social care workers honoured at award ceremony
- 9 Help on offer for residents as Universal Credit cut looms
- 10 Herts libraries service could be transferred to public service mutual
With victory in sight, Martin Leary (14) nicked behind with the score on 126, and this precipitated a mini-collapse, with Sam Montague-Fuller (3) and Rory Harper (0) both departing as well as Paul Leary (51).
The Crows eventually completed the win to move back to third in the table.
