Ross stayed in promotion contention last Saturday with a hard fought 15-10 victory over second place Bishopston, keeping in the promotion hunt as the season hits the halfway mark.

The rain stayed throughout the whole match and this made ball-handling very difficult. The away team pack were at least two stone per man heavier, yet from the first scrimmage, it was the Ross tight five of Louis Morgan, Josh Element, Jonnie Baynham, Dave Mince and Tim Jefferies who took control.

From this dominance, Ross were able to launch their ball runners Gavin Oates, Josh Walker and Casey Morgan into the Bishopston defence for the first quarter. They held firm, however eventually the defensive line broke and it was Gavin Oates who took advantage to crash over to score. Thai missed the two, but Ross were 5-0 ahead.

After the early lead, Ross’ attention lapsed, and the Bishopston nine took a quick tap and, in a flash, they were over in the corner. As the half time whistle blew, the scores were level at 5-5.

Conditions worsened after the break and it became a game for the smarter team as territory became paramount.

It was only a matter of time before the next score came. The Bishopston defence faltered and again Gavin Oates crashed over to score. This time Thai took the two and Ross were 12-5 ahead.

The visitors would not give up. Again, they hit back getting the territory they needed and they scored wide, but they missed the conversion and as the game entered the final quarter, Ross held a narrow 12-10 lead.

With the score so close, it was a nail-biting last twenty minutes.

As the game came to a close, it was Ross who won a penalty and Thai added the three points, to see Ross comfortably at home, 15-10.

To read the full, unabridged match report, and to see more pictures, see tomorrow’s edition of the Ross Gazette, out on Wednesday, December 14th.