Royston Cricket Club marked their 225th anniversary year with a 72-run friendly loss to a Lords Taverners Bucaneers XI at Therfield on Sunday.

Despite the early morning rain, a packed crowd containing members from past and present swarmed to the Recreation Ground.

On a good batting wicket the sides rustled up over 500 runs between them and plenty of action, with the visitors posting an impressive 304-6 off 40 overs.

Royston needed to set about their opponent’s big score early, but despite eventual man of the match Bonham Harper carrying his bat for 69 before being removed by the bowling of Arther Newman (5-32), they could not pull off the unlikely victory, carding 232-9 off their 40 overs.

Royston chairman David May said: “As one of the oldest sports clubs in the world it is fitting to have such a great event at our ground played in the true spirit of cricket.

“Thanks go to the Taverners and their organisers Rob Craze and Richard Wilson for marking a special day in the history of Royston Cricket Club.

“We are also grateful to all the volunteers who worked hard to stage such a special day and raise funds for the club.”

The Taverners set the tone for the day with opener Newman and no.3 batsman Dan Heath putting on a 100 partnership - Newman hitting a magnificent century, including 12 fours and a six, before retiring.

Heath then carried on the run-fest with nine fours and five sixes before finally being caught off the bowling of Matt Gillham by Max Kindred for 90.

Taverners weren’t done there and Alistair Cliffe kept the boundaries flowing, notching 42 to send the visitors past the 300 mark.

Having set the home side a challenging target Paul Leary and Praveen Nath quickly set about the bowling, slamming 30 off the first three overs before both were caught off the bowling of Cam Taylor.

The incoming pair of Paul Miller and Harper enjoyed the batting conditions, displaying some fine shots, putting on a 100 partnership in 16 overs before Miller was stumped for 50 - including nine fours and a six - off the bowling of Newman.

Shortly after, Harper was also accounted for by Newman as his purple patch continued.

Despite Martin Leary and Matt Gillham finding some form at the crease, the remaining Royston players were unable to put the visitors under real pressure, finishing on 232 with one wicket remaining.