Ross Hockey Club Mens's 1st XI travelled to play Lansdown A in Hereford & Gloucestershire Division 1 at the weekend. After a lively battle, Ross triumphed with a 5 - 3 victory.

The home side took the lead early on, which left keeper Andy Ridgeway and defenders, Brian Clare, Sam Warner, David Skryme, Sean Couch and Richard Jennison, shocked that they had allowed it to happen.

Shortly after a short corner was awarded to Ross, and they used their well rehearsed routine and Tom Walton scored the equaliser. Ross then had plenty of scoring opportunities to take them into the lead. Unfortunately, no matter how hard the midfielders Tom Walton, Luke Ward, Kristian Franklin, Jack Wilkinson and Nick Clark worked to set up the attackers, Adrian Williams, Andy Cross and Phil Evans, their attempts were either saved or struck a little off target.

Lansdown took the lead once more and Ross knew they would have to work their socks off to win. However, shortly after this, Richard Jennison shared his opinion with the umpire and was given a five-minute cool-off period. This left Ross in a bad position, 2 - 1 down and only 10 men on the pitch.

A few alterations were made and Ross gained possession. They moved up the wings and were awarded a sideline ball which reached the stick of top goal scorer, Adrian Williams. He struck the ball into the goal with the keeper having little chance of saving it, equalising the score once more.

The opposition took the centre and launched another attack on the Ross goal. This time, the defence was ready and stopped the attack dead. They also gained possession putting Ross on the offence. Another short corner was awarded in their favour, the ball was passed and the result was a spectacular goal from Adrian Williams just before the half time whistle.

A few calm and collective words from the 'keeper encouraged Ross but they still had only 10 men allowed on the pitch. Within five minutes, two short corners were awarded to the home team, one was saved and the other went wide.

The eleventh player returned to the field and Ross tried hard to increase their lead. Most attempts were saved or hit wide and they failed to capitalise on another short corner awarded in their favour.

Lansdown equalised again with around 15 minutes of the match to go. Ross battled to win in the closing stages of the game. A free hit was awarded just outside the oppositions 'D', the ball reached Sam Warner and his reverse-stick shot sent the ball flying into the right corner of the goal to take the lead for Ross.

Ross kept up the pressure, attacking the home team's goal, keeping the ball away from their own goal. With just moments left, a shot was denied yet again, but the ball found the stick of attacker, Phil Evans, who scored the last goal just before the final whistle blew.

The Ross scorers were: Adrian Williams 2, Tom Walton, 1, Phil Evans 1, Sam Warner 1. The players are grateful to their sponsors, South Hereford Motorcaravan Centre Ltd.