Crows end Beccles cup hopes

Royston travelled to Beccles in Suffolk for the third round of the Junior Vase. Royston saw early success when quick hands created a gap, allowing John Brain to break the line and score, Will Dacey then comfortably converting the try. Royston 7-0 Beccles. Royston having gained some momentum came on the attack once again, with Dacey picking up a loose kick, making yards, offloading to Adam Smith who rushed the ball over the line. A difficult conversion attempt bouncing off the post giving the crows a 12-0 lead, ten minutes later, a well-linked set of phases gives Dacey his first of the match which he then converts. Royston 19-0 Beccles. The Crows continued to put pressure on their opponents, forcing errors that eventually let Max Ayliffe loose to score in the corner. Dacey, composed as ever once again scores the conversion. In the closing minutes of the half a penalty awarded to Royston allows Dacey to, once again, put the ball through the posts leaving the visitor up 29-0 at half time.

The second half saw Beccles rally and start to put together well drilled attacks. The home side seemed determined not to let the Crows score again, however, after a great deal of pressure resulting in a Royston line out near the Beccles try line, Max Finney capitalised from the Crows drive, scoring in the corner. In a great show of heart, Beccles came back ferociously, and in the last dying minutes of the match scored a try of their own, leaving the final score 34 – 7 in favour of the Crows. Max Finney picked up the Man of the Match award through his tireless work in both attack and defence.