Crows secure excellent bonus point win at home

Royston finally returned to Fortress Heath for their first home league game of the season against Finchley. Having only lost one home game all last season, and knowing that every point would be crucial in London 3NW, Royston were keen to get going and try to pick up their first W of the season.

On a damp and sodden Heath, Finchley were the early aggressors, retaining ball well and testing the previously suspect Royston defence, but to their credit, Royston held firm. At scrum time Royston held their own against yet another bulkier pack, with second rows Jon Brain and Max Finney adding their ballast to the front row of veteran Jamie Green, youngster Theo Pow and Ollie Brookes, the latter returning from injury to make his first start. After two very good sessions at training this week, the Royston defence quickly turned from firm to ferocious, tearing up and meeting their opponents head on and providing crucial turnovers to clear their lines when needed, and it was this new found intensity that provided their first try of the day. As Finchley attempted to move the ball wide in their own half, the onrushing Royston back line, suitably martialled by inside centre Tom Greaves, applied considerable pressure which forced the Finchley outside-half to throw a risky pass that was plucked out of the air by wing Dan Ritsema, who gladly took the ball between the sticks from forty yards. Returning full back Will Dacey easily converted for an early 7-0 lead. Unfortunately, Royston lost their concentration immediately from the kick off, and a combination of a poor exit kick and that troublesome Royston discipline allowed Finchley to quickly reduce the arrears to 7-3 with a penalty. Wake-up call received, Royston got back to what they do best, making hard carries into the heart of the opposition and earning territory and excellent field position, and it wasn’t long before they crossed the whitewash again. A solid scrum platform allowed the Royston backs to move it wide with ease, and an excellent draw and give by outside centre Max Ayliffe put Dan Ritsema in space down the left once more, but still with a lot to do. And a lot, he did! After beating the covering defence for pace, he carried the despairing Finchley full back across the sodden turf for a few yards before finally breaking free and streaking to the line from halfway, again converted by Dacey. With the momentum now back in their favour, Royston refused to let up. Another turnover by Brain provided the platform for Royston to move up the field, and although Finchley recovered possession, the Royston D continued to turn up the heat. As Finchley attempted to clear their lines, No. 8 Joe Butcher charged down the attempted kick, regathered and beat the last man to score, once again the impeccable Dacey adding the extras for a very solid 21-3 lead as the half neared its close. Finchley continued to try and carry the ball directly at Royston, but a number of big tackles by flankers Lee Gilbert and Jonno Whittingham prevented any gains at all, with their attacks continuing to fizz out. The only blemish for Royston before the end of the half was a yellow card for outside half Will Cottrell, as he was pinged for hands in ruck as he continued to dig like a demented mole for the ball, clearly fuelled by his excellent turnover just a few minutes earlier. None the less, Royston turned round with a healthy 21-3 lead at the half.

At half-time, the words were highly positive, as coach Gallagher was pleased that the efforts of training were actually being translated into a performance. Maintaining the defensive intensity was a must, whilst trying to curb the sudden increase in Royston penalties, with Louis Dummett introduced at the break for Whittingham to provide fresh impetus to the already on-top back row unit.

As expected, Finchley upped their game from the off, but Royston continued their defensive superiority, shutting down the expansive Finchley game at the source and preventing them any real yardage. However, the needless penalties Royston continued to give away allowed Finchley to get within five metres of the Royston line via a line-out. The ball was recycled after the initial line-out thrust was shut down by the Royston pack, and the ball was spun wide, where a well-rehearsed back line move earned Finchley their first try of the day near the posts. Conversion successful and the gap down to eleven, Royston needed to re-group, and they did so immediately. From the kick-off hooker Pow sprinted up and caught the ball and carried hard into the scattered Finchley forwards, who gave away a penalty which Dacey happily knocked over to take the score out to 24-10. With Cottrell now back on the field, Captain Ben Ritsema could return to his wing, but in the wet conditions Royston struggled to get him into considerable space to do the same damage as twin Dan. The game became a war of attrition at this point, with both teams struggling to make yards, but Dummett in particular was making some big hits to cut Finchley down when needed. Unfortunately, Royston lost Butcher to the bin during this period, and the fourteen left on the field had to up their defensive effort once more. Rob Turner was introduced from the bench in place of Greaves to add some extra flair to the midfield as Royston sought that so far elusive bonus point try. Shortly after, Royston managed to break from deep, as Ben spun an excellent long pass to twin Dan that allowed him to cut through the Finchley midfield where he managed to offload to the supporting Gilbert to continue the move. Gilbert dummied the last defender and was hauled down inside the Finchley half, but perhaps should’ve offloaded to the supporting Finney, who let him know this, and the fact that he’d been to Uni, simultaneously. Nonetheless, the ball was recycled and Turner chipped and regathered his kick over the Finchley defence before they once more infringed at the break down, Dacey stepping up and extending the lead to 27-10 with about fifteen to play. Paul Greaves, cousin/brother/uncle/dad/grandad of namesake Tom, was introduced from the bench in the place of Brain, with Whittingham also returning to the fray for the imperious Adam Smith, with Pow moving to scrum-half. With the multiple changes, Finchley took their opportunity to attack as Royston continued to reshuffle, and they broke successfully down the left wing deep into Royston territory. It was from this unlikely position that Royston secured that bonus point try! Ben Ritsema tackled the flying Finchley winger and stripped the ball in the process, with full back Dacey scooping the ball up in one motion and setting off up field. He then chipped the Finchley defence and sped through, before expertly controlling the ball with his feet on more than one occasion and diving on it for the score, all from his own 22. All this effort obviously took its toll, as the wobbly legged Dacey just about managed to shank his kick through the uprights to take his personal tally to 19 points with a 100% kicking success rate. With the bonus point now secured, the rest of the game was played out without much to mention, and Royston walked off the park with a resounding 34-10 win.

A great win for the Royston boys, all secured with an excellent all-round team effort. This has oozed confidence into the Royston ranks, and gives them plenty to build on for the upcoming weeks, knowing that a reduction in needless penalties and a general improvement in discipline will see them do well in this league. Next up, Old Merchant Taylor’s away from home which will be a difficult proposition, but one Royston can now look forward to with that all important first win under their belts.