Ross Juniors Under 13s’ three-year journey to the top of their age group culminated on Sunday with a magnificent 2-0 win over Bartestree.

Until Sunday, Bartestree, the reigning league and cup champions, had not lost a competitive match at this age group in over four years. Ross’ team is predominantly comprised of school Year 7 girls, while Bartestree are a Year 8 team, and over the last three seasons this has provided Ross with a series of challenges to overcome. When the teams first met in 2015, Bartestree won 7-0.

Bartestree are a physically strong team, with quick, talented players across the pitch but Ross’ composed passing, tenacious defending, and decisive attacking play finally all came together when it mattered.

With a 2-0 half time lead, Ross awaited a second half barrage from Bartestree but it never materialised. Bartestree’s long ball game was not sophisticated enough to undo Ross’ superb defence, and the team’s composure gave them the control to seal a deserved victory. While the win was an important milestone, the effort and commitment Ross Under 13s have shown in the past three years is even more valuable, and it will continue to be important in the remaining league games this season and another showdown with Bartestree in the Cup final on May 13th.See the full story in this week’s edition of the Ross Gazette, or subscribe to our online edition here