After a disappointing 6-6 draw the previous week, Ross went to Bristol last Saturday looking to continue their impressive unbeaten league away form, and came away deserving 21-12 winners.
Aretians started strongly establishing territory in the Ross 22 early on, however although their scrimmage was strong, the Ross pack quickly worked out their line out, and were able to disrupt that source of possession.
Ross nearly opened the scoring showing some adventure from their own 22 with TC Leech breaking the first line of defence, offloading to Bas Parker, who fed Nick Rawlings. He drew the last line of defence but the support was a fraction too late and he was bundled into touch.
Ross continued to move the ball,which was in stark contrast to Aretians who used their 10's big boot to secure territory. After securing possession in their 22, Ross launched Luke Gray outside his man, he raced into the Aretians 22 sending an inside pass to Huw Bellamy. With the line beckoning the ball was knocked free in the tackle and Aretians blew a sigh of relief. From the ensuing scrum, Aretians kicked up field, got the luck of the bounce and from the ruck their prop crashed over to score.
After all that adventure Ross found themselves 7-0 down at half time.
Aretians went for the killer score early in the second half but the Ross defence held firm. This forced a speculative pass that was intercepted by TC Leech who raced 80 metres to score under the posts. Ali Rees converted and it was 7-7.
Aretians were now tiring, their scrum began to wobble and their lineout continued to be picked off by Matt Jones and Ashley Nelms. Ross continued to move the ball and eventually the score came. Some quick hands from the Ross three quarters sent Ali Rees clear, he was tackled thirty yards out from the ensuing ruck, Lee Cleaver sent Tim Hanks through a gap, he popped the ball inside to Huw Bellamy who touched down under the posts. Ali Rees converted and Ross were 14-7 up with 15 minutes to go.
Within a few minutes Ross extended their lead,again running the ball from deep Luke Gray cut inside the defence before offloading to Wayne Williams, quick hands from Matt Redman and Dave Mince sent Adam Clements over to score, and Ross were 21-7 clear. Aretians came back in the dying moments,but Ross were deserved 21-12 winners at the final whistle.
The Walford Timber man of the match was Ashley Nelms.
Next week Ross are at Kingswood Bristol 3pm kick off for an EDF Energy Cup match