After two league losses in a row, it was crucial that Ross got back to winning ways in Bristol. Promotion may not be a realistic target now, but a top four finish is.

It was not Ross’s best performance of the season; the match saw a decent start, poor middle, but a strong finish - which saw them over the finish line to register a try bonus point 23-15 victory.

Cotham did take an early lead with their ten converting an early penalty to put the home side 3-0 ahead, however in the second quarter Ross took control of both territory and possession, playing with intent and adventure.

Too many promising moves ended with either a pass being forced or not delivered when the overlap had been won, but there was enough good work to see Ross score two well-worked tries in the last ten minutes of the half.

The first was by Ben Element who crashed over from close range from a well constructed lineout driving maul, and then Dave Green got on the end of a well timed Huw Bellamy pass. Both scores went unconverted, but Ross went in at half time 10-3 ahead.

With the home side on the ropes, Ross should have punched home their advantage, but the errors crept back into their game and as a result it was Cotham that played the rugby in the third quarter. They got a deserved score which was converted and the game entered a nervy final quarter level at 10 all.

Ross looked to have held their nerve for the better, adding another try by Jordan Marshall after an accurate cross field kick from Aaron Ryder, but Cotham then hit back with a score of their own to level at 15 all.

A draw was looking likely until Ross dug deep and found some reserves of mental and physical strength. First Aaron converted a penalty to take Ross into a slender 18-15 lead, then winger Billy Hambling broke through three tackles up the left hand wing before diving over to score in the corner. This put Ross 23-15 ahead and they comfortably held on to secure that much needed win.

The Bosse Interspices man of the match was Campbell Sommerville for another tenacious display in the loose.

On Saturday, Ross have both 1sts and 2nds at home to Aretians and Dowty respectively with a 2.30pm kick off. Anyone would be welcome to go down to Greytree, Ross-on-Wye, to support the boys.