Paul Harris says his Royston Cricket Club side should be aiming for promotion from Junior One League South this season.

The club’s skipper watched his side post a seven-wicket victory over Barrington on Saturday, a win inspired by a destructive spell of bowling from Josh Holmes.

The bowler took five wickets for just 21 runs in a 10 over spell as Barrington were bowled out for 124.

In reply, Paul Leary’s 47 plus double figures from the likes of Michael Miller (16), Sam Montague-Fuller (16no) and Paul Miller (14no) helped Royston to victory at 125-3.

Harris said: “Josh was excellent and it’s great to see him continuing to develop – he’s now becoming a key part of what is a very strong all round bowling unit.

“Also pleasing from the win was the manner of our run chase. Last year our batting didn’t fire so it’s a real cause for optimism to see us batting so positively and fluently.

“If the top five make the kind of runs their ability demands this year, there is no reason why we shouldn’t be contending for promotion come August.”

Harris inserted the visitors on an improved Therfield track that offered pace, and Barrington moved on to 50-0 from the first 10 overs before the wickets began to tumble.

Harris found the edge of Elliot Griggs’ (20) bat and Paul Miller took the catch at gully.

Robert Walker (26) was then bowled by Holmes, with the Royston bowler then claiming his second wicket of the day when Barrington skipper Scott Douglas’ shot resulted in an excellent catch from Montague-Fuller at point for 70-3.

Paul Miller got the next wicket, a run-out from gully, before Matt Gillham (7-2-27-1) trapped Paul Davies (0) lbw. Holmes then rearranged the stumps of Hardman (0).

Hopwood fell next before Holmes’ fifth wicket came with a slower ball.

Harris returned to bowl Beattie for 0 before Bradfield (5) was last out, lbw to the returning Pete Merrell.

In reply, Leary led the chase with some aggressive strokeplay, punishing anything full with some crisp drives through the offside.

Along with Michael Miller, he helped take Royston to past the halfway mark before his team-mates wrapped things up. Next up for Royston is a trip to Madingley on Saturday.