After two impressive and successful seasons, Ross 1sts seem to have arrived in a league division that will be more than difficult with quality teams. Their first game was away to Chosen Hill, who have just come down from the league above, and they oozed talent throughout. The final sore was Chosen Hill 75-15 Ross 1sts.

It was Chosen Hill that scored within five minutes, finding space out wide to go over and convert. Their second soon followed which was again converted putting them 14 points to the good.

Ross’ fly-half Thai Hayward kicked a penalty to reduce the deficit but back again came Chosen Hill who scored under the posts after a series of missed Ross tackles.

Ross started to find their footing, with line outs and scrums being a great success. A passage of play on Chosen’s five meter line provided a penalty try for Ross, as Ross were certain to score from superb scrummaging.

As the half draw to a close, Chosen Hill started to gain the upper hand, scoring more trys through poor tackling and capitalising on Ross’ errors. Chosen were ruthless in making Ross pay for any mistake. At half time Chosen had already raced away to a 39-10 lead.

The second half was no better for Ross who had the added misfortune of picking up injuries, and after Chosen scored again the heads started to drop allowing Chosen to take full advantage. Ross did score a well deserved try for all their effort late on, No. 8, Gavin Oates, gathering the ball and dancing past two Chosen Hill players to score out wide.

There was still a lot to take away for Ross, who with a depleted side still had the better of the set piece plays but it is in open play that they need to work on.

The HDP Architecture man of the match, was Gavin Oates. This week Ross 1sts are at home to Frampton Cotterill, 3.00pm KO.