Ross took another step to league survival last Saturday with a hard fought 5-0 win against third placed Ashley Down Old Boys.

Ross looked the quicker in the first quarter, dominating both possession and territory with Mike Davies and Adam Clements punching holes in the visitors' defence. Scrum half Craig Powell was able to use some quality front foot ball, allowing the midfield backs Chay Brine, Gareth Holdsworth and Casey Morgan to search out that first try. Winger Tom Harris went close after fullback Huw Bellamy put him clear, and Craig Smith was put away for a certain try by Gareth Holdsworth before the referee brought them back for a forward pass. But Ross could not find that killer pass and Ashley Down held out to half time with the scores still level at 0-0.

After the break Ross relied on some surging runs from their forwards. Every forward played their part punching holes in the visitors' defence and this paid dividends as Ross took a well deserved lead early into the second half. From a quality take at the line out by Jake Christopher, the Ross pack set up a driving maul. This was eventually halted by the visitors but not before Ross were into the Ashley Down twenty two. Some strong ball carrying by Dave Mince and Matt Redman took then close and from the ensuing ruck, prop Luke Ward dived over to score wide out on the left. The conversion was missed and Ross were 5-0 ahead.

The score seemed to ignite the visitors who had their best spell of the game for the next 20 minutes, as Ross infringed, Ashley Down looked to bring their driving line out game to the fore. However the Ross pack defended manfully and Jake Christopher did some great work disrupting the visitors' line out. These combined enabled Ross to weather the storm and for the last ten minutes of the game Ross controlled territory and possession and with the light fading the referee blew to see Ross home 5-0.

The GMP Webdesign Ross man of the match was Jake Christopher.

On January 7th Ross 1sts are away to Brockworth and Ross 2nds at home to Pershore. On Monday December 26th Ross host their annual inter club game with the Young Guns taking on the Mature Cheeses kick off 12 noon at the Sports Centre, so all players old and new bring your boots and run off some of that Xmas excess. Ross RFC would like to wish everyone who has supported the club a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.