Sat 3 Oct 2026, 15:00
In a close contest that went down to the final kick of the game, Royston 2nd XV edged out Hatfield in an 85-point thriller. Combining forward graft with some brilliant stuff from the explosive backs, Royston showed immense composure under pressure to steal victory at the death.
The afternoon carried extra significance on and off the pitch with a debut for Tom Westcott, lining up alongside his brother Rowan Westcott in the senior ranks. To make the occasion even more memorable, both brothers took to the field with their grandfather, Steve, ex-prop and ex-Club Chairman cheering proudly from the touchline.
From the opening whistle, both sides traded blows in an open encounter. Royston conceded early tries whilst attempting to gain a foothold in the game before establishing a rhythm built on a solid set piece that gave the backline the platform needed to unlock a committed Hatfield defense.
Royston's seven tries came via a mix of forward power and clinical backline execution:
- Tim Illsley-Wilkins burrowing over from close quarters after some phase play inside Hatfield's 22.
- Chris Beagle capped off an excellent shift in the loose and in coordinating an impressive line out display from the Crows by crashing over for a well deserved try.
- Ollie Habergham turned on the afterburners, finishing off a sharp, flowing sequence through the hands to round the cover defense.
- Terry King proved un-containable bagging a well-deserved brace with some electrifying running.
- Rowan Clare delivered a dazzling double of his own, slicing open Hatfield's defensive line with pace and footwork to dot down twice.
Hatfield pushed Royston to the limit, hitting back with relentless waves of attack amid a temporary lapse in discipline and composure from the Crows in the second half to seize a 42–41 lead as the clock ticked into the red.
With moments left, a final Royston attack tempted the Hatfield defensive line into giving the referee cause to blow up for a penalty for the final time, setting the stage for a place kick which Joe Ellison duly sent through the uprights in the game’s final play to seal a breathtaking 43–42 win.
...thanks to the Hatfield gents for a great match and we'll look forward to heading down the road for the return later in the season!
Pictures copyright Russ Suter instagram @suterruss
