In the Gloucester Division 1, Ross-on-Wye rugby players moved up into second spot in the league table after a comfortable eight try 56-5 win over Southmead last Saturday, November 17th.

It took less than ten minutes for the Ross team to open their account. Southmead conceded a penalty on the Ross twenty two and the visitors made the mistake of turning their backs expecting a kick to touch.

Following this,Thai took a quick tap, moving the ball to Matt King, Dan Field, and then Luke Mair.

He sped into the visitors’ half, lobbing a pass inside to Dan Field, and then he was tackled ten metres from the line but was able to offload onto Ben Element, who coasted in to score.

Thai secured the two, and Ross at this point were playing with a lead of 7-0 ahead. Unlike the initial play where the lead was climbing well, the rest of the first half was a bit stop and start and the visitors regularly conceded penalties.

However, this did not impede winger, Craig Smith, who then ran in three lovely tries to secure his hat trick before the break. The Ross side were pleased that Thai then managed to convert every score and at the break, Ross already had the try bonus point with a 28-0 lead.

The Ross side were pleased to enter the second half with a clear lead against their opposition, Southmead. However, they knew that they could not take their eyes of the ball and that there was no time for any slip ups. The Ross players then went on to play another strong half. It mostly followed the same pattern as the first.

The visitors did score with an interception score from ninety yards out, but it was Ross that controlled proceedings, running in a further four tries, again all converted by Thai. Alex Davies bagged two tries, with Dan Field and Chris Thomas adding the other two.

The MICW LTD man of the match was Craig Smith for his first half hat trick.

Ross have a week’s break on Saturday, November 24th, but are back in league action on Saturday, December 1st away to Smiths of Cheltenham.