Royston head into Junior Vase semi-final on a high after French revenge
Royston V Thetford - Credit: Archant
Mick Jones’ Royston avenged a reverse league defeat to London French earlier this season and also kept their slim promotion hopes alive with this triumph at the Heath on Saturday.
Having lost 23-7 to French in October, the Crows were desperate to make amends for the loss and they did just that through tries from Louis Dummett and Dan Ritsema.
Royston now head into their crucial London & SE Junior Vase semi-final clash at Maldon, in Essex, on Saturday.
Should the visitors claim victory they would be just two wins from a final clash at Twickenham.
The first half, playing against the slope and strong wind, Royston put in a good defensive effort to repel the ever-threatening French attack.
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During brief Crows pressure, they were awarded a penalty which Will Dacey converted to make the half-time score 3-0.
The second half started at a frantic pace with Royston on the attack and linking well-drilled phases together, building pressure and being awarded a penalty, which allowed Dacey to extend the lead to 6-0.
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As the game continued Royston found themselves playing rugby deep in the French half and it was inevitable a score was to come. It was Louis Dummett that touched down with Dacey adding the extras to make it 13-0 and put Royston into a commanding lead.
Captain and fly-half Ben Ritsema had to leave the field with a nasty facial injury which required hospital treatment.
With his loss Royston stumbled somewhat and French were allowed back into the game scoring a converted try.
Royston regrouped and attacked from inside their own half, French infringed and Dacey struck a penalty from 45 metres out.
The home side were now back on top and Dan Ritsema finished off a fine move outward with Dacey again adding the extras and Royston leaving the field well deserving of their victory.
