A dominant performance by the Ross pack paved the way for a convincing win over Cirencester. After a close first quarter, the final score was 24-12, reversing last week’s defeat and ensuring that Ross progressed to Round 3 of the RFU National Cup.

Ross were the first on the scoreboard. A dominant scrum by the Ross eight took them within a couple of yards of the line. Gavin Oates picked up and crashed over to score. Thai Hayward added the two and Ross picked up a lead at 7-0 ahead.

The lead was short-lived however, after a penalty put them into the Ross 22, they secured their lineout and a set piece move saw their winger cut through the defence to score under the posts which brought them back level, at 7-7.

For the next two quarters though, it was the Ross eight that dominated. They hounded the Cirencester pack into too many errors.

Thai Hayward added two further penalties before half time. Then, they added another two after the break to take Ross 19-7 ahead.

As the game entered the final quarter, Josh Element crashed over, after a strong run by winger TC Leech got them within a few yards of the line.

This put Ross 24-7 ahead. A late Cirencester try was not enough and Ross ran out 24-12 victors.

It was very difficult to pick a man of the match. Scrum half, PJ Muldowney, had a very good game, but it was the Ross eight that did the damage so that the New Inn Shortstanding man of the match was the Ross pack.

Ross are soon to be playing at home to Dursley in the league, and it will be a 3pm kick off.See this week’s paper for more stories like this, available in shops and as a Digital Edition now.