The Crows travelled to Harrow this weekend to face a team also adjusted to London 3NW after their relegation the previous season, but who would provide a stern test to yet another much changed Royston side. The Crows were keen to put their slow start against Tabard in the previous game behind them, and they did this with aplomb as youngster Euan Rees scored within the first ten minutes, suitably converted by Will Dacey for a 7-0 lead. However, Harrow hit back almost immediately to level the score, and that’s how it stayed for almost the entire remainder of the half. A few handbags at dawn after 30 minutes resulted in Ollie London and Jason Turkington being given ten minutes to cool off, along with a Harrow player, with Royston now looking to close out the half with their inferior numbers. Unfortunately, Harrow managed to score before the break to lead 12-7 at half time.

This was quickly extended to 19-7 upon the resumption of festivities, before London and Turkington returned to the fold. Royston continued to battle hard but found themselves further adrift after 60 minutes, as Harrow extended their lead to 24-7. Royston gave their all in a final flourish that resulted in Dan Ritsema crossing the whitewash for an unconverted try, but as they pushed further for a losing bonus point, Harrow broke away and scored their fifth try of the afternoon, resulting in a final score of 29-12 in their favour.

Royston finish the calendar year with two home games in succession against formidable opposition in the form of 2nd placed Old Streetonians and currently 5th placed Stevenage, looking to pick up as many points as possible to set them up for the crucial run in in 2019. With the injury list mounting, good performances in these two fixtures, coupled with much needed rest over the Christmas period, will hopefully result in a refreshed squad to face this 2019 challenge head on.