Gloucester Spartans 13 - Ross-on-Wye 31

After their hard fought win the previous Saturday, the Ross Rugby Club 1st XV players travelled to Spartans on Saturday confident of adding another victory to their Gloucester Premier League tally. The Ross team did not disappoint and a excellent first half performance sealed a convincing 31 - 13 win.

Both sides looked from the outset to keep the ball in hand, rather than fall into aerial ping-pong which has become a boring part of the modern game. However, the Ross defence was the stronger, stopping the Spartans' attacks behind the gain line. This led to turnover ball, and it was from a Gavin Oates turnover that Ross opened the scoring. From the turnover, James Hughes moved the ball quickly left, some quick hands put Chay Brine clear, and he side-stepped the Spartans winger, before outpacing the defence to score. James Hughes added the conversion to put Ross 7-0 ahead.

In an effort to get back into the game, Spartans became more adventurous and it was this adventure that led to Ross's second score. After some strong tackling from Ashley Nelms and Matt Redman put Spartans on the back foot, they spun out some speculative passes. With great anticipation, centre Gareth Holdsworth intercepted and sprinted 50 metres, to score under the posts. Hughes converted and Ross were 14 - 0 up.

Ross kept up the physical intensity and Spartans could not escape from this vice like grip. Once again they panicked in attack, and once again great timing from Gareth Holdsworth saw him bag his second interception try, putting Ross 21 - 0 ahead.

Ross were now in complete control, from some great line-out work from Adam Clements, Ross moved the ball into midfield. Centre Bas Parker got outside his centre before sending a scoring pass to Gareth Holdsworth, who secured his hat-trick, making the score 26 - 0. Spartans did rally with a penalty on half time, putting the score at 26 - 3.

Ross came straight out of the blocks in the second half. Once again Holdsworth intercepted and fed the ball to Captain Gavin Oates, who made good ground before passing to James Hughes. He cut inside the chasing defence to score, putting Ross 31 - 3 up, with 35 minutes to go.

Unfortunately for Ross and the watching supporters, it seemed the referee then decided to stop the game as a contest. At every breakdown he blew for a penalty, he then yellow-carded three Ross players. Ross did concede a try and penalty but still ran out comfortable 31-13 winners.

The Walford timber man of the match was Gareth Holdsworth for his hat trick of tries.

Next Saturday, February 20th, Ross are at home to Tewkesbury with a 2.30pm kick off.