Ross-on-Wye Hockey club began a new era for their junior members after joining the Gloucestershire Badgers league and on Saturday met Newent in their first competitive match of the season.

In late morning balmy October sunshine at Monmouth School Sports Club, Coach Pete Jenkins saw his rapidly developing side produce a display of rich promise.

From the very first moments the pace and ambition from both teams was exhilarating. Newent had the early upper hand as their experience of playing league encounters showed, but before half time Ross started to put together a number of neat interchanges and slowly overhauled their opponents. At times it was a little too frenetic, with both sides showing admirable desire to play open hockey, but it wasn’t long before with the visiting team’s defence became over-stretched and Ross took advantage with a succession of well taken goals.

Things didn’t improve for the visitors as Ross kept up the advantage in the second half and as time started to slip away Newent threw caution to the wind. But Ross held firm to record a triumphant start to their new campaign.

It would be difficult to try and pick out an exceptional individual for the South Hereford Motorcaravans man of the match, especially after such a great team effort. However all three goal scorers – Lewis Stone, Dan Mills and Rory Calderwood did little wrong the entire morning.

After such a promising start Ross now look forward to their next league encounter against Cheltenham Hockey Club on Saturday, October 17th at 3.30pm at Balcarras School. Training continues at Monmouth Leisure Centre on Monday evening and at John Kyle High School on Wednesday evening, both starting at 7pm, everyone of any ability is welcome.