Hello, this is a long shot. My grandfather was Henry Ross Thomas b.1914 in Shrewsbury. His parents I have learnt this week were Marian Holbrook and William Thomas Thomas. I was wondering if there were any records of these two spending a honeymoon in this area. I know that sounds fairly ludicrous but I spent a short holiday, I believe in Hay on Wye in a privately owned house. I would welcome a short report in your paper? William Thomas Thomas 1886 Marian Holbrook 1890, married 1912. My brother’s wife has just given birth to a first child, his middle name has been chosen as Ross because of the family connection. I’m fairly sure Marian and William must have spent happy years at Ross on Wye. I apologize for the briefness etc. of this message, but I’m clutching at straws.
Many thanks
Tim Thomas

If you are able to help Tim, please write and I will forward your mail.

With an undefeated league campaign behind them and a testing Combination Cup in front of them, Ross were looking for a severe test on Saturday and Malvern more than filled that requirement. After a fantastic game of rugby, Malvern crawled over the finishing line winning 18-12.

Malvern started the brightest as the Ross pack took time to settle into some new combinations and with the game only five minutes old, took a 3-0 lead with a penalty. However as the half progressed Ross began to dominate territory and possession. With Dave Mince Tim Hanks and Mike Davies prominent in some impressive driving mauls, the Malvern pack began to creak. Ross were now camped in the Malvern twenty two and it was only a matter of time before the first try came, which was well worth waiting for. After some good approach work from Ashley Nelmes and Tony Clements, the ball was moved quickly to the right and after quick hands from Hugh Bellamy and Adam Clements, Simon Gwynne crossed the gain line, moving the ball inside to Wayne Bishop who cut inside the defence to score. Chris Gage converted giving Ross a 7-3 lead. For the remaining twenty minutes of the first half Ross continued to dominate both possession and territory, however Malvern defended stoically, denying forcing errors across the park. With ten minutes to half time and again defending in their half, Malvern pounced on a mistake in midfield and their winger outpaced the defence from sixty metres to score. Suddenly Ross were 10-7 down. Worse was still to come. After dominating the scrimmage all game, the ball squirted out the back of the scrum and with Simon Gwynne unsighted, the Malvern No 8 picked up the ball and again outpaced the defence to score. At half time, after dominating the half Ross were 15-7 down.

Ross redoubled their efforts during the second half. With strong running from Kevin Healy, Joe Gittings Jones and TC Leach, they were getting over the gain line at will,. These opportunities were being snuffed out by constant infringements as the Malvern pack decided that if they could not stop Ross legally then they should revert to giving penalties away. This began to frustrate Ross as move after move broke down with Malvern conceding a penalty. As the half progressed, the tension grew and finally the score Ross were looking for came. Alistair Rees fielded a clearing kick and made good ground into the Malvern half and TC Leach took the ball deep into the Malvern 22. This was quickly recycled to Andy Hunt, who cut inside his man, powering through the tackle of the fullback to score. The score was now Malvern 15 Ross 12. With fifteen minutes to go, Malvern came straight back with a penalty leaving the score 18-12. With ten minutes to go, Ross threw everything at Malvern. Twice, Dan Weston went close wide out on the left and with minutes remaining the Ross pack drove the ball over the line but the ref adjudicated the ball was held up from the scrum 5 again. Ross went close but with them now camped on the Malvern line the ref blew for full time.

Next weekend there are two combination cup games. 3 pm kick-off. On Saturday, Ross 2nds take on Westbury and on the Sunday Ross play either Berry Hill or Cinderford. Why not come down and support your local team?

Paul Haley

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