Ross-on-Wye 13, Berry Hill 0.

With the new league season less than a month away, Ross travelled to Berry hill on Saturday for their first warm up game of the season. The game was split into 4x20 minute segments in an effort to give all players a chance to shake of the close season cobwebs .Both sides looked to play in a positive manner early on however Ross had the edge with a dominant, scrummaging display,with the front row of Tara Barnett, Chris Price and Wayne Williams proving far too strong for their opposite numbers and it was from a scrum that Ross opened the scoring.

Tim Hanks broke from a scrum 20 yards from the Berry Hill line. Jake Christopher and Dave Mince cleared the ensuing ruck, delivering quick ball for scrum half James Hughes who darted through a gap in the defence to score under the posts. Gareth Holdsworth converted and Ross were 7-0 ahead at the first break. Ross nearly extended their lead early in the second quarter as another solid scrum saw replacement scrum half Huw Bellamy break clear from the base. He accelerated into the Berry Hill half before drawing the last line of defence and passing to winger Josh Morgan. However, with the line beckoning, the pass did not stick and the score stayed 7-0. With good field position, however, Ross were able to force two kickable penalties which Gareth Holdsworth converted putting Ross 13-0 clear at half time.

Both teams brought on a number of replacements in the 3rd and 4th Quarters and the game became a bit disjointed. Berry hill launched one last salvo in the 4th quarter looking to get on the score sheet, however some excellent tackling from Craig Creed, Josh Morgan and Casey ensured that Ross finished the game without conceding a point.

The game was a great opportunity for old and new players to get into the new season and every player contributed to a great result. Ross continue to train on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6.45pm at the Wilton Road Sports ground. If there are any players out there looking for a game, Ross Rugby Club run two sides so pop down or drop them a line on their website www.rossrugby.co.uk.

No doubt readers will have noticed the many people pounding the streets of Ross and surrounding areas, without realizing that there is no running club in the town. This may be about to change, if you would like it to.

A local resident is keen to hear from all runners, joggers, shufflers, first-timers in the area with a view to forming a group of people who meet up and run together - socially, not competitively - in small same-standard groups once a week.

'I have been running off and on for a number of years, recently given up smoking and in need of motivation to get me running again with enthusiasm. It occurred to me that it's easier if you have people to run with, if only once a week. I have run with clubs in London and really enjoyed the social and motivational side of the group thing,' said Andrew Pearson. 'I've been talking with Ian Howell, Captain of the Rowing Club, and we realized that a group of runners could use the Club as its base to our mutual benefit.'

The idea is that runners meet at the Rowing Club, every Tuesday 18.00pm. It's a social thing, so people run with whomever they choose, at whatever pace. After just a few weeks, members will naturally be running at a pace and distance with which they are comfortable, in company.

'The first step', said Andrew, 'is to get those interested - men and women of all standards - to a short meeting to assess what it is we have and what it is people want from their running. Ian thinks we could become associate members of the Rowing club, which means use of their changing rooms, weights and bar - but we can discuss details like that at the meeting.'

Steve Tuck, graduate of the Junior Academy at Ross Rowing Club won a gold medal at the Coupe de la Jeunesse ( Junior European Championships) held in Vichy France. Rowing in the J18 eight, up against national crews from all over Europe the eight won both its events over the weekend, contributing maximum points to the team competition which the GB squad won by a handsome margin, beating its closest rival, France by 100 points.

Steve came to Ross Rowing Club when he was 15 and was quickly identified as having high potential. Showing incredible dedication very early on, he worked through to row with the men's senior squads at the club very quickly. Having truly been smitten by the sport, Steve won series of event with the senior crews and still is a very popular member of the training group. In 2008, through his new rowing abilities and well established rugby talent he won a scholarship at Monmouth Haberdashers and has continued his meteoric progress. Having rowed for the school at Henley, Steve also went to fight for a place in the GB squad at a series of gruelling trials, which takes place each winter and spring. He successful navigated these tests, each time developing further as an athlete and rower.

The team event which took place in Vichy is an annual European championship regatta, which takes place in a different country each year. Steve was part of one of the most successful GB squads to compete in the event, which won by one of the largest ever winning margins. Steve's success is hot on the trail of Ross's other GB rowing team member Rhiannon Jones who is currently with the full squad competing at the world championships in Pozan Polland. Rhiannon is coxing the men's adaptive IV and are looking to secure another Gold medal. (At time of going to press Rhiannon's crew has qualified for the final on Saturday)

The clubs progress in being able to create pathways for young people to reach the top of its sport was a key goal that was set out in the development plan over 5 years ago. It is with an absolute delight that the club can truly say it has had a pivotal role in developing both these young rowing stars careers. Both Rhiannon and Steve can serve as shining role models as to what can be achieved by getting involved in your local club!

Steve has recently returned from a victorious rowing tour with the school in South Africa and can be seen donning a Ross top once again this weekend at Ross Regatta.