Royston 1 32 Rookies 28 ROYSTON were out to defend top spot in the league again on Sunday and their opponents were the team placed second and the only team to have beaten Royston in the first round of the league this season. Royston began slowly and were

Royston 1 32 Rookies 28

ROYSTON were out to defend top spot in the league again on Sunday and their opponents were the team placed second and the only team to have beaten Royston in the first round of the league this season.

Royston began slowly and were down 9-1 in the first 10 minutes but slowly began to play better and find their rhythm, being helped along the way by the excellent defensive work by Emma Winser and Anna Pinner. The attacks of Karen Hume and Regan Rooney in the second quarter found Royston trailing by just a point by half time, while in the third and fourth quarters Royston's defence proved difficult to break down.

In her first game back Tracy Durant made an outstanding contribution in making sure the ball the ball rarely got to the Rookies' attacking circle, and when it did player-of-the-match Winser was there to stop it. At the other end the waiting shooters of Tracy Stimson and Claire Target had fluid movement to make sure Royston won the game.

Royston: Target, Stimson, Hume, Regan, Durant, Winser, Pinner, Harnell.

Royston II 33 Witchford I 29

ROYSTON made a tentative start against a Witchford and were 9-8 down after the first quarter but in the second the pairing of Davina Biswell and player-of-the-match Charlotte Cook really began to gel.

Royston capitalised on some Witchford errors and led by three goals at half time, while in the third quarter they extended their lead to four goals. Louise O'Connor helped steady the ship and the team managed to hold on to the lead, winning 33-29.

Royston: Biswell, Cook, Davies, Harnwell, Huttlestone, Laughlin, Cooley, O'Connor.