Royston 12 Biggleswade 24 A DEPLETED Royston side turned out for their last game of the season against local rivals Biggleswade but the number of senior absentees only ever made a Biggleswade win likely. The number of senior absentees allowed the younger

Royston 12 Biggleswade 24

A DEPLETED Royston side turned out for their last game of the season against local rivals Biggleswade but the number of senior absentees only ever made a Biggleswade win likely.

The number of senior absentees allowed the younger squad players a chance to stake claims for regular first team places next season but Biggleswade adopted a different approach and packed their side with experienced older heads who used their cunning, guile and weight to get the better of the young pack.

Royston fought well in areas and were quick to the ruck, and it was also another good day at the office for Sam Morris who as ever excelled in the line out.

Both Royston tries came through quick rucks: firstly Shaun McDonald picked up a well driven ball by captain Jamie Green to go over the line unopposed and secondly Billy Richardson broke blind from a ruck on the Biggleswade try line to ease his frame over numerous defenders and the try line before Sirett converted.

Biggleswade were always in contention though and Royston's inability to get the ball out to speedy wingers Steve Bass and Chris Ball cost them dear as numerous over laps went begging.

Biggleswade took full advantage of this and flooded the channels when they had the ball and were able to score four tries of their own, converting two of them.

It was a disappointing end to Green's term as captain especially as Royston's form has seen a considerable up turn since Christmas but the weekend's game unfortunately saw a return to the poor attitude and lack of support displayed by the players early on in the season

Cheshunt 12 Royston Vets 24

Royston Vets travelled to Cheshunt having not played their opponents for quite a few years and not quite knowing what to expect.

The Royston pack had much the better first half with Billy Payne sneaking a few balls against the head in scrummages and Colin Letch taking superb high balls in the line outs.

Playing with the stiff wind points were needed and Payne was close by to grab the first five.

After a deft high kick which the nervous Cheshunt fullback failed to clear the Royston pack were there to turn over the ruck and Payne dived over the top to score.

Royston's second involved a piece of dazzling footwork by fullback Jean Pierre Boulter who skipped and twisted his way through the Cheshunt defence to score under the posts before Paul Dacey converted.

Cheshunt soon replied when their big centre crashed through and sprinted half the length of the pitch to score just the five points, but Royston soon widened the margin again through Colin Letch.

At half time Cheshunt brought on 13 new players and their three huge front row players had the Royston pack wheeling under the pressure.

Dickie Leighton was under constant pressure but his experience got the team out of trouble many times while the wing forwards Eddie Crowe and Tony Richardson fought and smashed anything in a green shirt.

Cheshunt did score but the biggest cheer went to Cameron Murdoch who, after receiving the ball from Steve Crook, sped down the wing sending the opposition in all directions with his shimmering speed before Colin Letch converted.

Royston: Mitchell, Payne, Gutteridge, Downes, Rees, Crowe, Richardson, Letch, Leighton, Dacey, Murdoch, Pousland, Crook, Lawrence, Boulter. Sub used: Payne.