The only two unbeaten sides in the league came together last Saturday, with both looking to preserve their unbeaten start to the season, and after a tight and tense encounter, Ross held out to win 13-8 and remain top of Division Two.

It was the visitors who were the quickest out of the blocks, dominating possession, and as a consequence, territory for the first quarter.

Ross had to dig deep, but their defensive systems held firm. They kept Smiths out and were able to get a foothold in the game.

As the game entered the second quarter, both teams were struggling to bring fluency and dynamism into the game, and as half time approached Ross only had two Aaron Ryder penalties to their name, and the visitors replied with one penalty, so at the break Ross held a slender 6-3 lead.

Both teams knew that the next score could be crucial and both sides defences continued to dominate, but as the game entered the final quarter Ross finally added the crucial score.

Gavin Oates broke from the back of the scrum, and breached the first line of defence before offloading to Dan Field, who ran in under the posts from twenty five yards. Aaron converted and Ross were 13-3 ahead.

Smiths threw everything they had at Ross in the final quarter and a late try wide out on the right brought the score back to 13-8, but Ross held out in a nervy last ten minutes to take the spoils.

Ross have a break next Saturday before Aretians away on December 9th and Bristol Aero at home on December 16th.