Old Isleworthians 8 Royston I 19

ROYSTON I made the long journey down to Old Isleworthians on Saturday but came back with a welcome three points.

They were without skipper Damian Foracres and after the teams’ poor result in the previous fixture, Scott Easy was picked to lead a nervous team into this crucial league game.

Straight from the kick-off OI’s showed their pace in attack and were gifted a try when a misjudged box-kick from second row Easy went straight to the OI’s wing who went over the line.

Royston regrouped and after some excellent defending from the back line, they started to show they were the better team.

A train-like forward pack were dominating the midfield with Easy leading by example.

It was not long before a trademark run from Billy Richardson resulted in a penalty try which Woodall converted.

The start of the second half was a different story, though, with some great territorial kicking from fly-half Mark Woodall. The Royston pack were able to steel the lineout and, with some text book mauling from Bearton, Alford and Mills were able to push prop Louis Dummet forward 15 meters and over the OI’s line for their second try which again was converted by Woodall.

Royston’s pack were now dominating all aspects of the game with a huge show of power at the breakdown, giving great balls to the back line who were now giving the performance of the season so far.

After a superb backline move started by Craig Shepard, Royston were now inside the opposition’s half when a penalty was taken quickly by Richardson who, in typical style, destroyed OI’s defensive line to make a great offload to Fujian No.8 Jock who ran in the last of Royston’s points and make the score 19-8.

Royston remain unbeaten away from home this season.