Ross-on-Wye kept up the pressure on the league leaders on Saturday with a bonus point win down in Bristol, which keeps Ross’s slim hopes of promotion alive with two league games remaining. Any slip ups by the top two could see Ross sneak an automatic promotion place.

With the sun shining, Ross started brightly, moving the ball quickly through the hands as they searched for a gap in the Bishopston defence. Initially, their defence held firm however, Ross took a 5-0 lead after ten minutes. Some very slick offloading by, first Dan Field, then Casey Morgan, was enough to unlock the home side’s defence and put Marcus Barnard through a gap. He had more than enough pace to score.

Bishopston hit back though within minutes. After some strong ball carrying by their forwards, they moved the ball quickly left and this time it was the home side’s slick handling that saw their winger crash over to score. They added the two with a well taken conversion and Ross were 7-5 down. Ross enjoyed the majority of territory and possession for the remainder of the half, a strong lineout and scrimmage set up good ball but it was not until the final play of the half that they added another score, with a try from captain Casey Morgan, which Aaron Ryder duly converted and Ross went in at the break 12-7 ahead.

The home side were still in the game and even with a strong breeze at their backs Ross had to work hard in the second half to keep Bishopston at bay. Luke Ward scored a great try off the back of a strong driving lineout but, as in the first half, Bishopston hit back with a score of their own, getting themselves back in the game 19-12 as the game entered the final quarter.

With Aaron Ryder using the strong breeze to pin Bishopston back in their own half, Ross finally made the game safe, with two scores from Ben Element and Craig Smith, with Aaron Ryder converting a well struck drop goal, which took Ross 32-12 clear and safely to full time with a try bonus point win. Unfortunately the other promotion candidates also won, so it looks like it will go down to the wire with two games remaining. The Ross man of the match was Josh Walker, safe in the lineout and strong in the tackle. On Saturday, April 8th both 1sts and 2nds are at home both 3pm ko.