Royston Ladies 3 Berkhamsted & Hemel 0 ROYSTON ladies saw off a Berkhamsted & Hemel side that had only nine players – but it wasn t easy. Berkhamsted put Royston under immense pressure from the off, and were rewarded with a number of short corner

Royston Ladies 3 Berkhamsted & Hemel 0

ROYSTON ladies saw off a Berkhamsted & Hemel side that had only nine players - but it wasn't easy.

Berkhamsted put Royston under immense pressure from the off, and were rewarded with a number of short corners, which fortunately for Royston, came to nothing

Royston had to step up their game to ensure that their opponents were not going to score, and their first goal came when Sarah Buckerfield smashed the ball past the visiting keeper.

In the second half Royston took advantage of the space on the field and dominated the play as Julie Fuller slotted in a second with a classy finish, before Sophie Gathercole added a third following a brilliant run.

But the hosts needed player-of-the-match Vicky Bidwell on top form, as her tough defending put a stop to a number of Berkhamsted attacks.

Harpenden II 0 Royston Ladies II 2

ROYSTON maintained their 100 per cent record and secured top spot with their seventh successive win, against second placed Harpenden.

Despite a cautious start, the Crows held their positions and kept tight in order to prevent conceding the early goal that has often been the case this season.

And their play was rewarded with a goal of their own when a free-hit taken by Sarah Farmer found Michelle Clement, who scored her first goal for Royston with a superb strike from the edge of the D.

Five minutes later Farmer was the provider again, with a cross across goal finding Clare Perry, who deflected the ball past the Harpenden keeper for her first goal of the season too.

The second-half was a closer affair, with the hosts determined to claw their way back into the game.

But with Perry, Karen Fidell, Sarah Gourd, Katie Ellard, and keeper Laura Price all in fine form, the Harpenden attack could find no way through.

It was a superb win for Royston, sending Harpenden to their first defeat since Januray.

Royston Ladies III 0 Vauxhall Chilterns 0

ROYSTON fought well against a team near the top of the table with a draw that should give them a lot of ­confidence.

It was mainly a defensive game for the Crows, with Teresa Smith, Di Hassen, Gemma Luckman, and Jo Pearce playing solidly at the back, and keeping the Vauxhall Chiltern attack at bay.

Royston had several chances going forward, with Sarah Warren making some fine runs down the right, and creating space for Lisa Thompson, who came close to breaking the ­deadlock.

New player Harriet Johnson also came close, as did Gemma Whitby, both players causing the Vauxhall Chiltern defence a number of problems.

- Royston Hockey Club need male goalkeepers for a number of their teams.

For more information and times of training visit the club's website at www.roystonhockey.co.uk