On Saturday morning (November 14th) Ross-on-Wye Junior U16 Mixed Hockey Team travelled away to Cirencester for their latest fixture and despite going behind twice, still managed to take the spoils and remain undefeated for the season to date.

As with the previous week, the weather gods were certainly not smiling, with squally wind and driving rain affecting the entire match. However despite this encumbrance, Ross simply breezed to another victory.

Matches are often decided by small margins, and so it was here. In contrast to the Ross parsimonious defence, Cirencester conceded at vital moments when they were under pressure, allowing the Oubridge-Brock twins Freddie and Archie to pop up from midfield to score all five goals. That is not to say the Ross defence didn’t creak at times, but in contrast it mostly held out during their all too brief moments of onslaught.

Despite having a weakened team, Ross perhaps have never played better either individually or as a unit. Upfront Ben Topping, Freddie Talbot and Cerys Williams caused the Cirencester defence all sorts of problems, both in possession and when pressurising. In midfield Elysia Williams-Tettey, Laura Benjamin, Freddie Oubridge-Brock and Archie Oubridge-Brock came to dominate what appeared at first to be larger and more skilful opponents. And then the rock of the defence, with last week’s ‘player of the match’ Luke Watts capably supported by Amie Jenkins and Amelia Adamson.

Coach Pete Jenkins was effervescent in his congratulations after the final whistle, and decided that the South Hereford Motorcaravans player of the match award should go jointly to Archie and Freddie Oubridge-Brock for stepping up so admirably when called.

Training continues at Monmouth Leisure Centre on Monday evenings - commencing at 7pm. Anybody interested in playing is welcome to attend, whatever their ability.