ROYSTON seconds spoiled any hopes Harlton had of promotion with a win that gave then a glimmer of hope of avoiding relegation. Put in to bat, Royston lost two quick wickets before a 135-stand between Mick Miller (82) and John Bason (60) put their side b

ROYSTON seconds spoiled any hopes Harlton had of promotion with a win that gave then a glimmer of hope of avoiding relegation.

Put in to bat, Royston lost two quick wickets before a 135-stand between Mick Miller (82) and John Bason (60) put their side back on the road.

The stand created a platform for the younger players to carry the baton, and that they did, with Joe Carver (22), Rory Harper (13), and the imposing Paul Harris (39), who hit five fours and a six as Royston posted 253-7.

Harlton knew they needed a quick start, and Nick Lloyd (69) and Simon Banks (40) obliged as youngsters Nick Hootton and Mark Harper showed their inexperience with the ball.

However, a change of bowlers saw Carver and David Boddy gain control, with Carver taking the wicket of Banks.

Then Harris and Dave Isherwood entered the attack, with Isherwood having Lloyd stumped in his first over, and then taking the wickets of Parsonage (14), Keyworth (21) and Scally (8) as he grabbed 4-44.

Harris then removed the dangerous Simon Griggs for seven, and as a result, Harlton faded to finish on 226-8.

It was a deserved win for Royston, who can take heart from a number of notable individual performances, including 14-year-old Rory Harper's exceptional wicketkeeping, and Wayne Thompson's agile fielding.