Datchworth U-17 14 Royston 5 A GOOD second half performance was not enough to prevent Royston slipping to defeat at Datchworth on Sunday. Datchworth opted for the wind and downhill advantage in the first half and the well drilled Datchworth side kept Roys

Datchworth U-17 14 Royston 5

A GOOD second half performance was not enough to prevent Royston slipping to defeat at Datchworth on Sunday.

Datchworth opted for the wind and downhill advantage in the first half and the well drilled Datchworth side kept Royston under pressure for much of the first half.

However, the Royston defence was solid, frustrating numerous attacks from the Datchworth forwards.

Despite Royston's Sam Morris stealing a number of the opposition's line out ball, the pressure eventually took its toll with Datchworth's number eight forcing his way over for a try towards the end of the first half.

A lapse in Royston's defence immediately afterwards allowed a second try just before the half time whistle. With both tries converted, the half time score was 14-0.

Royston started the second half well using the wind and downhill to their advantage.

This resulted in a number of passages of play which saw the Royston forwards taking the ball over the Datchworth line twice. Unfortunately the grounding of the ball was unsighted leading to two five yards scrums from which Royston could not quite score.

As the second half progressed Datchworth's teamwork in the forwards was impressive, and saw them winning more of the loose ball than Royston.

There were a number of attacking moves by Royston backs. A darting run by Adam Smith resulted in him suffering a gashed nose requiring hospital treatment.

Another strong run through the middle of the field by Dan Ritsema helped to disrupt the Datchworth momentum.

Shortly after, a loose ball was picked up by fly-half Ben Ritsema, who sprinted through a gap and once behind the Datchworth defence he could not be caught and scored under the posts. Royston failed to convert, leaving the home side winners.