ROSS 1sts have reached the final of the Forest of Dean combination cup after narrowly beating Westbury 16-14 last Wednesday evening.

Ross dominated the first half but it wasn’t until the 30th minute that they scored. A series of Ross rucks close to the Westbury try line sucked in their defence and at the right time, the ball was spun wide to Gavin Oates, who drew his man before passing to winger Craig Smith to touch down in the corner.

Fly-half Aaron Ryder superbly kicked the extras from right on the touch line. Westbury hit back on the stroke of half time through one of their set piece plays; securing the line out and using their well-practiced rolling mauls to score and convert.

At the start of the second half, Westbury again scored from an alternative set piece play, using their hefty pack in the scrum to drive forward from five yards, only for it to collapse and Westbury be awarded a penalty try.

At 60 minutes, Ross narrowed the deficit via a penalty from the reliable boot of Aaron, before he pulled Ross to within one point from another penalty. With five minutes remaining, Ross gained another penalty which Aaron duly kicked over and the game belonged to Ross.

The final against Drybrook 2nds is to be held at Drybrook on Friday, April 29th, with a 6.30pm kick off.