Nailbiting victory for the Crows

Royston 1st team faced a huge challenge when they travelled to Maldon to play the in the London and South- East Junior Vase semi-final. Royston started well with some powerful ball carrying putting the Crows into a good position, setting Theo Pow up to score the first try of the game. The first scrum after the restart, Royston looked to have the advantage, but Maldon maintained possession, striking back against Royston, and scoring a try of their own. Maldon 5-5 Royston. Royston soaked up a great deal of sustained pressure by Maldon and following a well-executed line out, Jacob Boyce broke the line, offloaded creating the chance for Josh Brock to score. Celebrations were short lived as Maldon once again broke through, scoring and converting to give the home side the lead. Minutes later, John Brain scored following an excellently sold dummy, Ben Ritsema converting leaving the score 12 – 17 in Royston’s favour at half time.
Maldon started the second half by levelling the score and ten minutes later a deft chip and chase saw Maldon pick up another try giving them the lead again. Maldon 24-17 Royston. The two sides battled it out for another ten minutes until a powerful scrummaging by Royston saw the ball go loose and Theo Pow dive fir his second try. As the clock ticked on, great phase play saw Royston pick up an advantageously placed penalty, allowing Ritsema to put more points on the board and give the crows a 3-point lead. In the closing moments of the game, Lee Gilbert who had been instrumental throughout the game, intercepted a Maldon pass and kicked down field, forcing and error that gave Royston another chance at the posts, Ritsema coolly slotting the kick. The last few minutes of the match had the crowd on tenterhooks as Maldon looked to come back, however the final whistle blew giving Royston the victory 24-30.