Royston II 130-9 Barley II 135-5 DESPITE losing to Barley on Saturday Royston IIs collected the five bonus points which secured promotion. Royston s captain Paul Harris, pictured below, won the toss and decided to bowl and the decision looked to be the co

Royston II 130-9 Barley II 135-5

DESPITE losing to Barley on Saturday Royston IIs collected the five bonus points which secured promotion.

Royston's captain Paul Harris, pictured below, won the toss and decided to bowl and the decision looked to be the correct one as first Nick Hootton and then himself picked up early wickets.

Barley took few risks and accumulated runs slowly when the bad balls presented themselves, however the ever reliable John Harper provided the breakthrough by removing Chris Trimble thanks to some excellent glove work from Rory Harper.

Harper took his second before Barley's innings gained momentum with the introduction of Paddy McMahon who scored a quick fire 22.

P George hit 60no and in tandem with P Chuck helped Barley to 135-5, setting Royston a reasonable target of 120 to secure the bonus points needed for promotion.

However, on a slow pitch and with some very tight bowling from Ross and Chuck Royston struggled to gain any impetus with eight of the first 20 overs being maidens.

Mick Miller (40), though, showed the determination and patience that has seen him top the batting charts again for the second team and with help from his teammates, including 14s from Paul Harris and Rory Harper, Royston secured the runs they needed.

It has been a difficult few years for Royston who have seen both their first and second teams fall down the Cambridgeshire cricket leagues with a number of first team players leaving the club, but after successful seasons last year for both teams, Royston's seconds have finally secured promotion to Division Three.

Highlights include two very competitive and enjoyable high scoring games against league winners Barrington, exceptional bowling performances against Elmdon, Great Chishall and Newton when defending small totals and great batting displays against Whittlesford twice and Saffron Walden.

What makes the promotion even more impressive is that captain Harris, who himself began the campaign aged just 22, used a variety of young players with no fewer than 14 being aged 16 or under and only five aged over 23.