A depleted Ross U14s/13s side faced a terrific performance from Lydney at home, during two difficult games. The visitors managed to score many points in two games against a home side, which only began to play sustained rugby in the final ten minutes of play.

Lydney dominated from the start and ran in try after try, with the home side showing little resistance. Normally, effective defending is a key feature for the Ross side, but was absent in the face of very powerful runs. Many Ross tackles were missed, as the visitors pressurised the blue’s try line.

There were glimpses of what Ross can produce when rucks were contested well from time to time. In addition Josh Lewis ran over the only try for Ross just before the end of play in the first game; this was subsequently converted by Ben Pilot. James Aston, at outside centre, proved to be the outstanding player for Ross and dominated the tackling defensive work. Ross had to use many players in unfamiliar positions and this was a large factor in the overall performance.

The results were 48-7 and 34-0 to Lydney.

This is the home side’s third fixture this season and has brought an impressive winning streak, which started the spring, to a close. The boys in blue and white will be all the more determined to show what they are capable of again when they host new opposition, a team from Pontypool, on Sunday, November 1st.