Verulamians survived a second-half fightback to seal a 27-17 win away to Royston.

Tries from Ben Russell, Sam Townsend, Gareth Waters and man-of-the-match Mike Ainsworth were enough to secure the bonus point win despite Royston closing to within three points.

It was an entertaining and open contest which Vees edged in the first period.

Fly-half Tom Maile started the ball rolling after five minutes with a penalty before Russell ending a run crammed with plenty of side-steps near the posts.

The conversion was surprisingly missed and this let–off stirred Royston into action.

A converted try from their centre narrowed the gap to one but proved to be a minor blip to Vees who soon extended their lead.

Good work by Myles Costello put Townsend over before Waters sent the visitors in at half-time leading by 20-7.

Royston used the break to regroup and the second half proved a different affair.

Their hard–running forwards produced one determined attack after another and gradually reduced Vees lead with a penalty and another converted try, this time from a rolling maul.

But resilient tackling, particularly from Townsend, Darren Westhead and James Hayes, allowed Vees to come back in to it in the last 10 minutes and they were rewarded with their fourth try through Ainsworth.

Russell converted to hand Verulamians their first win in four games.

Vees host Old Streetonians on Saturday in a 2.30pm kick-off.