12 highly tuned athletes representing Ross 2nd XI hockey team flew out of the proverbial starting block last Saturday afternoon in Monmouth, and beat Bourton & Sherbourne in their first Davis Wood Hereford and Gloucester Marches League Two encounter of the new season.

On the day stand in Captain Christopher Chalk was like a modern day Goliath. A giant of a man in both stature and fortitude. He led the team from the front, probing the opposition and, when called upon, rallying the last line of defence. Fortuitously in this department he was auspiciously backed up by an aging, but highly experienced back line containing Tim Jones (who had only just appeared from a long period of hibernation), Greg Weston, Tony Faulkner, Sean Couch and James Adamson. Ben Blethen in goal had an excellent debut and will no doubt go on to make many more fine displays between the sticks. Only once, nearing the end of the match, was this line breached, but by then Ross had already sealed an effective victory by all but the final whistle.

In midfield, aside from Captain Marvel, the Williamson brothers, Alistair and Elliot, weaved their magic. Also making his league debut, Dan Collins on the right wing, is another youngster with a great future ahead. In fact he only narrowly missed out on the South Herefordshire Motorcaravans Man of the Match Award. Finally, running a lonely furrow up front was Charlie Exton. He skilfully held up the ball, before frequently releasing marathon runner Brian Clare to great effect. However, in a reversal of this play, Brian Clare played a pin point pass to Exton in front of the opposition goal.

Continued on page 27 of this week's Ross Gazette.