Tremendous, says Crows skipper Green

Belsize Park 3 Royston 29 ROYSTON travelled to London with a varied mix of experience and youth, to take on Belsize Park in this Herts & Middlesex League 2 clash. Youngster Ben Ritsema made the breakthrough when his clever play freed the speedy Andy Smit

Belsize Park 3 Royston 29

ROYSTON travelled to London with a varied mix of experience and youth, to take on Belsize Park in this Herts & Middlesex League 2 clash. Youngster Ben Ritsema made the breakthrough when his clever play freed the speedy Andy Smith to finish in style in the corner.

Then Ritsema collected the ball and waltzed over the line following fine play from veteran centres Steve Clay and Daniel Fox.

With a 10-0 lead going into the break, Royston denied the hosts with some highly impressive defensive play. However, Belsize were awarded a penalty from which they scored their only points of the game.

The Crows bounced back with Smith and Ritsema capitalizing on Jason Deards' clever kicking to claim two more well-worked tries, with debutant Joe Hillman converting.

But the visitors saved their best until last, with Clay and Steven Mills combining to find Scott Easy who ran home from 10 yards.

Hillman completed the score with a confident strike between the posts.

Royston skipper Jamie Green said: "It was a great start and a tremendous display of heart and desire that saw us scrap for every ball."

n The Crows play their first league home match on Saturday when they take on rivals Thamesians at The Heath.