Maybe it is because I don't get out much - or at least that I do not watch television much but on Saturday evening last, I watched a film. I think it was called 'Twenty Eight Days Later', though I would not swear to it. Anyway, it is the 'swearing' in the film that is the point of my article. I realize that most 'swear' words are no longer taboo on television these days but I was amazed that the 'c' word was used at least a dozen times in this particular film.

Like anybody else, I don't exactly say, 'bother!' if I accidentally hit my thumb with a hammer and my dog has acquired the nickname, 'FALSH', which is an acronym made up of several words I once called him when he wouldn't stop barking. (The 'L' is for 'little') Most once-upon-a-time 'taboo' words have found their way into everyday television vocabulary and I accept this. I must admit though that use of the 'c' word still shocks me when used by the media!

My personal opinion is that, of all the words in the English language the 'c' word should remain absolutely taboo! This is not because I am a prude over it's true definition. I don't think I have ever used it in that sense, though I have been know to refer to my dad's sister as an 'aunt'. It is just that once all of the strong expletives have become part of our everyday language, they will become ineffective as a true expression of one's feelings. What word is there going to be left to adequately describe that white van driver who has just mounted the pavement and hit your elbow with his wing mirror as you were walking along the narrow part of High Street?

On a bitterly cold day in Hereford, Ross ground out another away win against a Greyhound side that had been unbeaten in 2006. With a bitter wind blowing across the racecourse, it was always going to be a day where the side who made the least mistakes would prosper.

With home advantage and an unbeaten record in 2006, Greyhound started strongest, using their big forwards to drive hard into the Ross defence. If it wasn't for the strong tackling from Tara Barnett, TC Leach and Tim Hanks, Greyhound could have easily been a couple of scores up after fifteen minutes. However as they have all season, the Ross defence held firm and slowly began to get themselves into the game.

With twenty minutes gone the game was still scoreless and with Kevin Healy and Matt Redman starting to drive hard into the Greyhound defence, Ross began to get into the game. With a strong wind at their backs Chris Gage started to push Ross forward with some huge kicks and Tony Clements and Tim Hanks got their lineout working. Now camped in the Greyhound half the pressure finally provided dividends as Greyhound strayed offside in their twenty two, Chris Gage converted and giving Ross a 3-0 lead.

Ross were now playing with more confidence. Halfbacks Simon Gwynne and Gareth Holdsworth started to get their back line moving with Adam Clements starting to look dangerous every time he got the ball. With thirty minutes gone Ross increased their lead further. After some good work up front from Dave Mince and Tara Barnett, the ball was moved wide quickly. Hugh Bellamy and Wayne Bishop combined well to get through the Greyhound defence and set up a ruck five metres out. With the Greyhound defence at sixes and sevens, Gavin Oates gathered the ball from the back of the ruck and with Matt Redman in close attendance, crashed over to score. Chris Gage converted, giving an half time score of Ross 10 Greyhound 0.

With the strong wind now with Greyhound, the question was, was a 10-0 lead sufficient? Greyhound quickly looked to use the wind advantage by putting boot to ball, however Ross were now controlling possession well. Driving quickly from the base of the ruck, scrum half Simon Gwynne was controlling his forwards well and as an eight, the whole forward pack took their turn to pick and drive. This was energy sapping for the Greyhound forwards. When they did get the ball, they did not look as dynamic as they had in the first half. First winger Wayne Bishop nearly broke through then Alistair Rees, after some good distribution from Hugh Bellamy.

With Dan Weston and Baz Parker counterattacking from poor kicking from the Greyhound outside half, it now looked as if Ross would add to their lead. From some quick ruck ball, Simon Gwynne moved the ball quickly to the right. Quick hands from Adam Clements and Hugh Bellamy set Jack Ancram free. He outpaced his winger chipping the ball on, however the Greyhound fullback retrieved the ball and kicked it safe.

Greyhound launched one last assault with time running out and in the final moments of the game scored, giving a final score of 10-7.

Ross's next fixture is a league match against Gloucester All Blues on Saturday 25th March.

Paul Haley

If you have a local news item or story of local interest which you would like to appear on Wyenot News you are very welcome to submit it by email, telephone or by post.

Please advise as early as possible if you would like me to photograph your local event so that I can put it in my diary. This service is offered strictly on a first come, first served basis as some days, especially during holiday weekends, can get extremely busy.

Contacting Wyenot News:

Email: please click here.

Telephone: 01989 763217

Postal address: Wyenot News, 1, Hillview Road, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire. HR9 7EY

Although it is fine to submit if you are submitting an event taking place in a pub / shop / restaurant etc., please make sure that your story does have real news value and is not simply an advertisement for your business. It would be unfair to those who support Wyenot.com and Wyenot News by advertising to publish blatant advertisements disguised as editorial material.