A tough pre season at Lydney and Drybrook away looked like an inspired build up to this North Midlands Cup fixture. Ross were quick in thought and deed last Saturday against Birmingham Exiles, as a sizeable home crowd were treated to a convincing Ross display in the sunshine, as they ran in eight unanswered tries and breezed into round two of this competition. The visitors had finished last season third in their respective league, so Ross were right to treat them with respect. However, it took only ten minutes for the Ross backs to break free and put winger, Craig Smith, in for his first score, which Huw Bellamy converted, giving Ross an early 7-0 lead.