IT was a return to winning ways for Royston as they came away from Bluntisham with a three-wicket victory – but they made hard work of chasing a small target. Bowling first, there was immediate success for Royston with Coe being trapped lbw by Temple for

IT was a return to winning ways for Royston as they came away from Bluntisham with a three-wicket victory - but they made hard work of chasing a small target.

Bowling first, there was immediate success for Royston with Coe being trapped lbw by Temple for nine.

With the next ball, Moore was run out first ball attempting a suicidal second run to a throw from the deep from Will Graham.

There was soon to be further success for Royston as both Mathson and Wright were bowled within the space of three balls from Temple.

And when opener Fordham was caught behind by Rik Bentley off the bowling of Tony Clough for 19, Bluntisham were in deep trouble at 52-6.

A partnership of 39 between Bigger and Durose pushed the Bluntisham total to 91 but this stand was brought to an end once Temple returned to the attack, Bigger being bowled for 29 with the first ball of the new spell.

Skipper Adam Newman then took three quick wickets to leave Bluntishamall out for 111 in 38 overs, Temple finishing with 4-37 off 16, Newman 3-17 off 11 and Clough 2-30 off eight overs.

In reply, though, Royston made hard work of chasing a low total, being reduced to 54-5 within 25 overs.

On a seaming wicket, the nagging line and length of Mathson and Turner proved too much for the Royston top order as four of the top five were all bowled or lbw against balls nipping back.

The loss of skipper Adam Newman for a patient 32 looked to have marked the beginning of the end for Royston at 58-6, but a partnership of 25 between Craig Hilson and Richard Temple, followed by an eighth-wicket stand of 30 between Temple and Henry Hall, saw Royston home, with Temple finishing unbeaten on 29 and Hall on 10. Turner finished with 5-43 for Bluntisham.

Team manager Richard Temple was delighted with the win, but admitted it was a relief not to have thrown victory away.

He said: "It was slow-going, with us taking 45 overs to chase just 111, but we remained patient later on and eventually things got a little easier as the ball got older and the bowlers began to tire.

"If we'd have thrown this one away, it would have been terrible for team morale.

"As it is, as long as we keep picking up points during our spell of nine consecutive away games, then we'll be well placed for later in the season.

"Monday's game against Fordham was called off, which was lucky for us as we had huge availability problems.

"About 10 minutes after it was called off it, the sun came out and it was a beautiful day. Perhaps the luck will be with us this season."

- Royston continue their travels on Saturday when they travel to Weston Colville, while the second team open their league campaign with a home game against Romsey Town.