Hat-trick for Ben Ritsema helps Crow's to Victory

Royston 1st XV travelled to UCS Old Boys, for a Herts/Middlesex 1 league clash, hoping to maintain good table position and put last week’s defeat behind them. Royston kicked off, defending the counter well. Within a short space of time, Scott Easy found himself carded for a high tackle showing that the referee would be policing the new rules rigorously. Making the most of the situation UCSOB strung together a series of pick and go’s scoring their first try and missing the conversion. Royston started to pull themselves together with a period of sustained pressure and a swing move involving the referee, Ben Ritsema scored under the posts, leaving an easy conversion for Will Dacey. Another ten minute period saw both teams battling away seeing another player sent to the bin for a high tackle, this time from the home side. Royston, using the extra strength, get a driving maul that takes ground, leaving Scott Easy the simple job of scoring. UCSOB 5 – 12 Royston. The Crows shifted up a gear, with Ben Ritsema using his pace to score another try for the visitors. Swiftly following the restart, Royston’s back row combined in a show of strength, with Jono Whittingham scoring in the corner and Dacey nailing a difficult conversion to secure Royston the try bonus. The half time whistle saw Royston in the lead 5- 24.
The second half started badly for Royston, with Will Dacey being sin binned and the Crows under serious pressure. Winning a scrum against the head allowed Royston to clear the ball from their own 5 metre line. Royston once again went on the offensive, setting up a series of driving mauls, allowing space for Ritsema to score his third of the match and convert his own try. UCS then bounced back, scoring a good try of their own and taking the scores to UCSOB 19 – 41 Royston. Dacey, having returned to the pitch, exploded down the wind and scoring another try for the Crows and the final try of the match. The final whistle left Royston victorious 19 – 48, in an exciting and high scoring encounter.