In sport, the New Year tends to bring new hope to the struggling and renewed enthusiasm to the strong. Over the coming weeks, weather permitting, the Ross sports teams will return to action, after their Christmas break, looking to ensure that 2013 is a successful year.

Ross Rugby Club's 1st and 2nd team are scheduled to return to action on Saturday. Both teams are playing at home, so try and get along to the two mouth watering matches in prospect. The 1sts host Bredon Star, in the league, in a 2.30pm kick off, while the 2nds face local rivals Ledbury 2nds, in a Merit Table fixture. The 2nds' match kicks off at 2.15pm.

While the Ross Juniors football teams also return to action this weekend (see page 22), Weston also resume their season in a Herefordshire Football League HW Peterson Cup match, away at Orelton Colts. Weston will be looking to arrest an alarming run of results ­– five straight defeats since their last win, on October 27th. Weston currently sit a lowly eighth in the HFL Division Two, and so will be glad of the cup action as means of a break from the league. However, their opponents are cruising at the top of the table, and crushed Weston 5-1 in their last meeting, on November 3rd.

In the North Gloucestershire Association Football League Division 2, Howle Hill, who currently sit fourth the table, are playing away at English Bicknor Reserves, in a 2pm kick off. Hill, while in decent form, face an uphill task against English Bicknor who are top of the league and are yet to lose any of their 12 league fixtures this season.

Ross Hockey Club is enjoying a further week off and they all return to action next week, on January 12th. Ross Ladies will start at 1.15pm in a West Woman's Hockey League Severn Division 2 fixture at home to Bretforton 2. At 2pm the 1st XI play Llan and Caerphilly, in the league, at Hawthorn Comprehensive School.

Finally, in the later game, at 3pm, the 2nd XI will play Hereford B, in the league, with the game being played at Hereford Boys School.

For more stories in full please see this week's Ross Gazette.