First League match ends in a Win for the 1st XV

In addition to the win, BE kept a clean sheet, with strong tackling throughout the pitch, to deny the home team any chance of crossing the white-wash. Apart from a few early errors, the team gave a way few penalties, overall, so Royston had only one long-range penalty goal attempt, in the first ten minutes, but nothing afterwards.

BE took a long time to settle although, in fairness, the home pack had a useful bunch of forwards who did cause a few problems to BE in the scrums whilst the line-outs were evenly balanced. However, neither side could turn possession into territorial advantage: even though BE only got out of their half once in the first 25 minutes, they never looked like conceding ground as both teams tackled strongly, particularly the BE team. On the half-hour mark, BE rallied and two efforts by their props, DUMIE SIBANDA and HARRY AVENT, just failed to score touch-downs. Another drive, led by PETER MOULTON was also stopped with Royston hoofing the ball fifty metres up-field. However, this was a brief rally as, after a lengthy injury break, BE forwards won loose ball and swift handling, across a number of players, created the space for DAVID BROMILEY to run through for a well taken try, under the posts for HARRY EADE to easily slot the conversion. So, it was 7-0 to BE at the interval.

BE tightened up many aspects at the restart, especially in the scrum, and with PETER MOULTON and JAMES ORAM, in particular, the loose scrum found gaps in the home defence although, once again, could not capitalise on these chances. With the single score advantage, only, they needed to score again, at least twice, and the first came when DAVID BROMILEY, released on the left wing on the home 22, was unfairly checked by a Royston player and HARRY EADE slotted the penalty from wide out. The game was effectively won at that stage although HARRY EADE kicked another penalty to seal the victory. Right at the death, ROBBIE CAMERON-STAFF almost scored a try, under the posts, but was denied by inches by the eagle-eyed (female) referee (I have to be kind to her as she is John Duncan's RFU contact for Grant purposes !).

PGY