Thamesians 14 Royston 20 ROYSTON were unaffected by the long journey and short warm up against Thamesians and attacked from the off. They put their opponents under pressure but somehow it was the home team which took the lead when they converted a penalty

Thamesians 14 Royston 20

ROYSTON were unaffected by the long journey and short warm up against Thamesians and attacked from the off.

They put their opponents under pressure but somehow it was the home team which took the lead when they converted a penalty.

This only made the Crows up the pace and they were rewarded with a try form flanker Nick Alford after Scott Easy had stolen a loose ball at the ruck.

The pace of the game was relentless and seemed to be working for Royston as they enjoyed most of the attack play but again Thamesians went ahead with another penalty from their scrum-half after Royston had defended their line superbly for a prolonged period of time.

But these were the last points the home team would see for the remainder of the half as Royston began to convert attacks into points.

Great fast rucking from the forwards and slick hands from the Royston backs saw Liam Deards dive in at the corner with the conversion being added by brother Jason Deards.

Soon after prop Will Sparks crossed the line when again the speed of the Crows' ball recycling left gaps around the edges of the breakdowns but the extra two points being denied by the post.

Royston sealed the first half off with a drop goal form fly-half Jason Deards giving them a 20 points to six lead.

Half time saw the use of all three replacements as the rate of play in the first half had taken it toll and Royston began on the defensive as the home team came out fighting.

Thamesians used their number eight and blind side flanker well to break tackles and offload the ball and it was through this type of play that they picked up their only try of the game.

It was then followed by a well struck penalty to bring them to within a converted try of Royston but the visitors knew they needed to get another score to put the game out of reach.

They came close when man-of-the-match Dave Ayliffe broke from a maul and came within five yards of the line but failed to get the pass away, and the last five minutes saw Dan Fox in the blood bin when he was replaced by Alford who was unlucky not to score on the wing after the pass he received was deemed forward.

Royston are at home next week against Belsize Park who are just three points adrift of the Crows in the table.