Royston (59) lost to March II (183-8) by 124 runs. ROYSTON continue to lurk precariously above the relegation places following the loss at March on Saturday. Winning the toss and bowling first, Royston made the perfect start as March failed to score duri

Royston (59) lost to March II (183-8) by 124 runs.

ROYSTON continue to lurk precariously above the relegation places following the loss at March on Saturday.

Winning the toss and bowling first, Royston made the perfect start as March failed to score during six overs.

Chris Hootton and Toby Fynn utilised the conditions perfectly, swinging the ball away from the March openers.

Hootton struck in his second over with a delightful ball which, pitching on middle and leg and swinging away to clip off stump, left Kaberry in knots for a duck.

Hootton then proceeded to bowl six consecutive maidens and he was supported by Fynn as the home side were restricted to just six runs in the first 10 overs.

Fynn then dismissed Wenman with a tempting away swinger that drew the edge and a great stooping catch at slip from Skipper Matt Gillham.

Royston's fine start soon fizzled out, though, and they ran into trouble at the bowling change, following Hootton's eight over spell for only two runs, with neither Martin Leary nor Neil Addison causing the March batsmen much trouble.

Despite reaching 50, Miller never really looked in and he was eventually dismissed by Matt Gillham after being caught by Ravi Singh for 55.

Royston however fell into a lull and March went 19 overs without loss, putting on 100 runs before the re-introduction of Fynn removed Wallis who clipped aerially to Addison at square leg for 13.

Fynn was soon accompanied by Hootton again and the change paid dividends.

The next to fall was Wright for a duck, snicking behind to Miller, and Green followed shortly, bowled by Fynn for 15.

Fynn (12-4-32-5) then picked up his fifth victim when number four Bryan (63) mistimed and set up a catch for Gillham.

Hootton then took the final wicket of Royston's attack, his pace proving too much for Young who was bowled for 10, and 10-man Royston had restricted March to 183-8 from their 45 overs.

Still eying a chance of victory, the Crows opened with Matt Graham and Martin Leary who started steadily.

It only lasted nine overs however, when Leary dollied up a simple catch for Wenman, giving Young his first wicket.

Martyn Leek was then unfortunate when he looked to have received a questionable run out decision from a direct hit for a duck and then Paul Miler and Graham occupied the crease for eight overs before Miller clipped to square leg, providing a straight forward catch and a wicket for Arnold.

Graham, who was going well on 25, received a dubious LBW decision that looked to have inside edged, but removed by Green and the Royston middle order then collapsed, offering only six runs for four wickets.

Hootton, Gillham and Fynn withstood a further 10 overs, but the Crows' limp effort with the bat came to an end when Hootton spooned to mid-on as Royston finished on a meagre 59 all out from 35 overs.

Thankfully for Royston, there is only one relegation spot in the Cheffins CCA Senior League Division Two and that is currently occupied to a side superior to them - Linton Village.