Royals opened their Weekday Evening League account last Friday with a stunning last-ball win over a still-hibernating Fluor Engineering side. Matt Honeywood and Canadian international Jenna Bartholomew brought the game home with a solid 45 run partnership, Matt blasting a monster line-drive 6 on the last ball when 4 were needed for the win.

That shot laid the ghost of Taverners first match in 2013, when, on a cold, wet May evening, with 4 needed off the last ball, Hopes-Johnson could only dribble one into the prairie slough that passed for mid-wicket at Inland.

Other spectres may be enveloping Taverners as 2014 unfolds, but that's another story from last Friday, one which should not go untold for long.

With three internationals (2 ex- and Jenna current), 2 or 3 emerging juniors, and an ancient re-tread of a Captain, Royals are fielding an interesting and eclectic squad.

Chasing 116 on a warm, mosquito-free evening, Ajay, Arnie, Mitch, Robin & Ross all contributed something, if not the runs they'd have wished. But George Williams provided the anchor, sailing to a chanceless 32 retired out.

When Ross departed in the 14th over to another one that kept disappointingly low on the newly-laid Riley pitch, Matt strode in with an unknown amount left in the tank, after a Lazarus-like stint with the ball.

He soon became well-known to the heretofore cruising Fluor gang, and with solid support from Jenna plus faultless running between the wickets, a second straight last-ball triumph for Royals was produced to order.

Earlier, Fluor had raced to 91 off 10 overs, Sudhir cutting and pulling some short stuff from Arnie and Mitchell to reach 26 from 9 balls. But the choke began and Royals were on a team hat-trick when Ross's direct hit after backing up Matt's shy from the gully did for Kiwi Steve. Two caught-behinds soon followed, Matt finding his line, and Ross chipping in with some fine out-swingers.

Young Jordan Honywood bowled two almost flawless overs with Fluor suddenly wondering where their next run was coming from. Ross and Matt each clattered the off-stumps of tail-enders before Mitch made amends for a wayward start by inducing a top edge to the keeper from Ritesh. The flushingly healthy 91-4 off 10 withered to a modest 116 all out with 15 balls left unbowled.

Not every night may turn up roses for these fledgling Royals, but there are encouraging signs.