A lacklustre performance saw Royston lose at home to March on Saturday.

The fixture pitted third against fourth in an end of season fixture that carried little importance and Royston won the toss, electing to bowl.

The home side were dealt a blow in the second over when Chris Hootton was forced to withdraw from the attack with an injury.

While Richard Temple and Martin Leary toiled, the fielding was devoid of conviction and Royston were guilty of conceding too many sloppy extras.

It took Royston 13 overs to make a breakthrough, Stone edging behind from the spin of Matt Gillham for 20.

Royston employed all of their bowling options, but still the extras flowed, Leary, Judge, Harris, Trimble and Graham all attempting to reign in the visitors.

It wasn’t until the 30th over that the next wicket fell, Paul Harris bowling Brian for 34, March progressing on 130 for two.

Chris Trimble took a stretching catch to dismiss opener Wenman for 52 from Matt Graham’s bowling, and Royston began to haul March in.  Two run outs in one over saw the visitors reduced to 188 for six, Richard Temple showing the best economy of 1.5 runs per over from his 12.

March ended on exactly 200, Royston doing well to prevent a massive total.  However the home side will be disappointed with the 59 extras conceded, considering the March batsmen scored only 141 off the bat.

Royston’s reply was slow and steady, but it didn’t take long for the visiting bowlers to get on top, a run rate of 1.4 for the first 10.

The spiralling run rate began tell as Martin Leary was caught for 14.  Paul Miller came in to try and force the issue, but the going was tough and he was unfortunate to be bowled by shooter for eight.

Ashley Judge was promoted in order to boost the scoring and did just that, contributing several boundaries before he was dismissed for 14 by Green.

Both Paul Harris and Martyn Leek fell cheaply trying to attack the monotonous bowling attack, leaving opener Matt Graham to make his 50.

Graham fell soon after as he started throw his bat about, eventually bowled for a patient 56.  John Bason and Richard Temple were left to salvage anything out of the game ending on eight and 13 respectively.

The Crows ended on 143 after 45 overs, lamenting their below par performance in the field as it would have been a close finish without Royston’s 59 extras.

Royston will look to go out with a win in next weeks season finale at home to Yelling.