After several years hard graft in the Herts/Middlesex leagues, Royston finally began their life in London 3 North West away to Cheshunt on Saturday. With several players unavailable for the season opener, Royston travelled with an eclectic mix of young and old, with over twenty years separating evergreen veteran Jamie Green, and 1st team debutant Callum Morgan-McDermott.

The 1st half started at a frantic pace, with both teams attacking with ball in hand. So frantic in fact, that Royston full back Daniel Ritsema turned his ankle on his very first carry, introducing young Callum to the fray after only two minutes. A reshuffle of the back line ensued, with captain (and better twin) Ben Ritsema moving to full back to accommodate Callum on the wing. Not to be disheartened by this early set back, Royston began to go through the phases, with the forwards carrying well and making early yards through the Cheshunt defence. Off the back of one of these early attacking thrusts, quick ball to Royston outside half Will Cottrell allowed him to throw a deliciously disguised pass behind second row Jon Brain running a hard line to put flanker Lee Gilbert into acres of space, allowing him to ghost through the Cheshunt midfield. Gilbert carried well into the Cheshunt 22 before passing to Callum on the wing, who was stopped just short as Royston coughed up possession. However, further Royston pressure eventually resulted in a kickable penalty, which Ben Ritsema slotted nicely from wide on the right to put Royston 3-0 up. After this positive start, Cheshunt slowly began to battle their way into the game, with their full back in particular always game for a mazy run into the Royston defence. With Royston’s lineout misfiring and unable to properly clear their lines, eventually this pressure told. After several hard carries by the larger Cheshunt pack, the ball was finally thrown wide and the aforementioned Cheshunt full back beat the scrambling Royston defence to dot down near the posts, allowing an easy conversion for a 7-3 lead. Royston picked themselves up almost immediately, breaking the Cheshunt line on several occasions, with flanker Joe Butcher in particular always looking to get his rangy arms around the Cheshunt defence for the offload, but early season rustiness normally ensured the ball went to ground. At scrum time, the front row of props Green and Charlie Sparkes, and hooker Jonno Whittingham didn’t give an inch to their heavier counterparts, which gave Royston a solid platform to attack from, with jack of all trades and centre for the day Max Finney carrying well into the Cheshunt midfield. Further forward carries off ten continued to make yards, allowing scrum half Adam Smith to make a trademark burst from the base of a ruck, carrying deep into Cheshunt territory before making a final pass to second row Alex Bodrozic to crash over. With the conversion missed, Royston took an 8-7 lead into the embers of the first half. However, Cheshunt weren’t quite done, and with Royston discipline beginning to falter as bodies tired, a penalty to Cheshunt allowed them a last shot to take the lead before the first half whistle. Luckily the effort rebounded off the post, and with Royston able to clear their lines shortly afterwards, the teams swapped ends with Royston leading by a solitary point.

As Royston inhaled as much air as they possibly could at half time, coach Hannah Gallagher issued her tactical instructions for the last 40, with a key focus on retaining our discipline and ensuring we finished the numerous chances we were creating. At the same time, new physio Ethan tried his best to patch the walking wounded together, with the 3G pitch taking its toll on many an ageing joint. Rejuvenated and fired up for the second half, Royston took their places for the kick off as the temperature continued to rise on this now sunny Saturday in September.

Within minutes, Royston had forgotten most of what they had heard at half time, and as Cheshunt began to turn the screw, gave away a penalty for offside at the break down which they slotted for a 10-7 lead. Wake up call received, Royston once again responded with increased vigour, and excellent kick chasing by the outside backs of Max Ayliffe and James O’Sullivan eventually led to a penalty for holding on, which Ben Ritsema kicked into the Cheshunt 22. Royston finally secured good attacking ball from the subsequent line-out, with the ball fed quickly into midfield. Handling that wouldn’t have been out of place at Eden Park between Cottrell, Brain and Royston No. 8, Matthew Muirhead allowing him to break the line and head for the posts. With just the full back to beat, Muirhead opted for the Samoan side step option, running over the poor fellow at fifteen and crashing over between the sticks.

Ben slotted the conversion with ease and Royston held their biggest lead of the game, 15 to 10. Once again, both teams went tit for tat, carrying well and hard defence coming to the fore. Unfortunately for Royston, a yellow card was next for Brain. Almost immediately Cheshunt cut through the disjointed Royston midfield after a long period of sustained pressure, scoring near the posts for an easy conversion, Royston once again behind on the fancy electronic scoreboard in the corner of the ground. At this point, with reduced numbers and tiring bodies, Royston could’ve easily folded and allowed Cheshunt to run away with the game. To their credit, Royston continued to battle hard, and in the face of yet another onslaught, Butcher pilfered the ball with a timely interception and sent a beautifully weighted kick to near the Cheshunt try line. Yet another excellent kick chase forced a penalty turn over which Smith attempted to take quickly, only for his opposite number to swat the ball away. With the referee allowing him to have ten minutes to think through his actions, Royston opted for the corner. It is here that veteran Green used all his years of experience to create confusion on both sides by forgetting every line out call he has ever learnt and trying to lift every player in his vicinity simultaneously. As the ball pinged between both teams, Muirhead reached up and secured the ball to once again crash over the whitewash out wide. Ben slotted another difficult kick to take the scores to 22-17 with fifteen to play.

It is here Royston should’ve put the game to bed, as they retained possession well and continued to make good breaks that just couldn’t be finished off. In particular Butcher, Muirhead, Cottrell and Finney continued to make inroads through the Cheshunt Defence, only for the last pass to go to ground or the wrong option chosen. With about five to play, James Meecham was introduced from the bench in place of Jon Brain to try and see the game out as Cheshunt began to throw everything they could at Royston. However, from another shoddy line-out in Royston territory, a poor lift combined with an overthrow allowed Cheshunt to flood the midfield with a plethora of runners, with the ball being interchanged several times until Royston simply ran out of defenders. The successful conversion put Cheshunt 24-22 up with just two minutes to play. With nothing to hold back, Royston introduced Stu Habergham from the bench and gave their all from the kick off, immediately earning a penalty for holding on by Meecham. Unfortunately, Ben wasn’t able to continue his otherwise excellent day from the tee and the ball pulled wide and the chance had gone………or so we thought. From the 22 drop out, Royston again earned another penalty from further out than before, and Ben once again stepped up for another shot. A sweeter connection was struck, but the ball dropped agonisingly short, and this time, the chance had indeed gone.

Overall, Royston can be relatively pleased with their efforts for their first game at this level, as they didn’t look out of place. With a bit more control, discipline and a sharper set piece, Royston likely would’ve taken the win in a game where the lead changed hands no less than eight times. Next up, Stevenage away for the closest thing to a league derby we’ve seen in many a year. With several players hopefully returning next week, and overall being more game ready after this first real hit out of the season, Royston can hopefully push for the Win to get their season up and running.