It has been about a month since Ross played their last game of hockey. Christmas has come and gone and the team was ready to get back to winning ways.

The ‘not beaten at home’ Ross team welcomed Cheltenham C to the fortress, and from the warm up it was clear to see that the members of Ross Hockey Club really do love Christmas. Most were carrying new sticks that Santa had delivered and also new bellies which the festive food had delivered – a clear sign that match fitness could be a problem.

The game started in the the worst way possible for the Ross men, with Cheltenham C grabbing an early lead from a smart deflection at the top of the D. Cries of ‘what position are you in the league?’ came from the Cheltenham players (as they are near the bottom and Ross near the top) which did not go down well and spurred Ross on to play some great hockey.

The first of Ross’ goals came 15 minutes into the game with a smart disguised pass from Luke Ward on to the stick of Ash Williams, who deflected it past the Cheltenham keeper. The second came in a very similar fashion and again to the stick of Ash Williams, who wiggled into space in the D, to push it past the keeper. The half time score was 2-1.

By this point the rain was coming down so hard that the game was potentially close being abandoned, however it eased off enough so that the game could continue.

Ross came alive in the second half with some great passing work though the defence and midfield. The forwards were terrorising the Cheltenham defence by constantly making space and runs – a great sight to see.

Ross scored a goal every 4 minutes and 30 seconds till the end of the second half. Overall the goals came from Ash Williams (4), Jonny Cross (2), Phil Evans (1), Euan Aitken (1), Tom Walton (1) and Kristian Franklin (1 ).

A very solid performance overall from Ross Men’s 1st team which takes them back up to the top of the League for now.

It’s a late 4.30pm trip to Cardiff on Saturday for the team who are hoping to carry on their new year’s resolution of being undefeated.

The South Hereford Motorcaravan Centre Man of the Match was Ash Williams.