Five tries, a win and bonus point, this was an impressive away league win, especially when you take into account four seventeen year olds in the starting line up; a credit to Ross’s youth policy and to the players themselves.

Ross started the brightest, with some strong running from Dave Green, Josh Element and Ali Rees, complimented by some well weighted kicks from Huw Bellamy. Ross were soon on the score board with two well taken penalties by Marcus Ballinger which saw Ross-on-Wye take a 6-0 lead. This was soon increased to 13-0 after a well worked try from winger Connor, again converted by Marcus.

The second quarter saw Aretians fight back with some enterprising play. The Ross defence held firm but could not add to their total and at halftime they were 13-0 ahead.

With the slope and the wind at their backs there was a real threat that Aretians would overhaul this lead, but it was Ross who scored first in the second half. Quick hands from the ruck put centre Marcus away and he had too much pace for the cover defence, he added the two and Ross were 20-0 ahead.

Aretians hit back and added an unconverted try to pull back to 20-5 but the last quarter was all Ross. Jordan Marshall added a try after two great passes from Gavin Oates and Ali Rees, then scrum half Ben Element threw an audacious dummy from the base of a ruck and the red Aretian sea opened up in front of him and he cantered home to score. In between this Marcus was converting tries from all angles.

The forwards then weighed in with a great driving maul, capped off with Gavin Oates crashing over to score, Marcus added the two,which was never in doubt and Ross completed a great bonus point away win.

The Bosse Interspices Ross man of the match was Ali Rees for some strong ball carrying. Next week Ross are at Redditch in the North Mids Cup semi final, 2.30pm kick off.