Ross first XV registered their second win in the Gloucestershire Premiership and retained their unbeaten start to the season, after a hard fought encounter with Hucclecote last Saturday. In a tight match, Ross did enough to emerge 10-7 winners and are currently in second place in the table.

It was the visitors who started the strongest. Ross fell foul of the referee’s whistle and as a consequence were not able to build any pressure, spending most of the first quarter defending in their own half. The defence held and against the run of play it was Ross who opened the scoring. From another dominant scrum Ross set up a ruck in midfield. Two Hucclecote players infringed and Ross were awarded a penalty in front of the posts, 45 yards out. James Hughes elected to go for posts and slotted in calmly through the posts to put Ross 3-0 ahead. This score seemed to wake Ross up and they dominated the rest of the first half. With both scrum and lineout working well, it seemed only a matter of time before Ross added to the lead. However, a combination of errors and poor decision making in the Hucclecote twenty two meant a number of try scoring opportunities went begging and at half time Ross remained 3-0 ahead.

Ross continued to dominate in the second half and finally, after a period of pressure in the Hucclecote twenty two Ross crossed the whitewash to increase their lead. After another infringement, Ross were awarded a penalty in front of the posts. With everyone thinking Ross would kick for goal, prop Tara Barnett took a quick tap and had the strength to barge over to score. James Hughes converted and Ross were 10-0 ahead. Hucclecote launched one last effort in the dying minutes and in the last play of the game they scored and converted a try. However, the ref's whistle concluded the proceedings and Ross added another 2 points to their league tally.

Ross RFC wish to thank the match sponsors Terry’s Digitals for their support and their man of the match was Tara Barnett for his strong scrummaging and quick thinking in scoring his try.

Next Saturday, 3rd October Ross travel to Matson. Kick off is at 3pm.

After the disappointing performance of the previous week, Ross 2nds bounced back with a well earned victory against a strong Berry Hill 3rd XV.

In excellent playing conditions Ross decided to play an open running game from the start. With a much bigger pack, Berry Hill had the upper hand at the scrum and pushed Ross back and only fine work by the Ross No 8, T C Leech allowed the half backs of Griffiths and Gwynne to start dictating the play. Ross's first try was a good example. Quick ball through the hands of Griffiths and Gwynne found inside centre Craig Creed in space. After beating 2 defenders it was a sprint to the line for a score under the posts, which was converted by Gwynne. Ross were now well in control of the game.

With hooker Tony Clement and back rower Stuart Veall clearing up all loose ball, Berry Hill were reduced to defending for a long spell. More fine play by the Ross pack allowed Simon Gwynne to dart down the blind side for a well deserved try. From the restart, Robert Jode fielded the ball and a fine offload to Gwynne found Leech in midfield who, with a mixture of pace and power blasted through 3 defenders to score an excellent solo try. This was the final score of the first half and Ross went into the break 17 nil up.

Ross started the second half very slowly only to be caught out by a quick try from an ensuing ruck and maul, with the Berry Hill second row finally scoring a try which was converted to bring the score to 17 points to 7. This was a wake up call to Ross who responded with some good pressure play. Tom [pickle] Harris scored a fine try only to be denied by having a foot in touch. This made Ross more determined to add points and a blistering run from Stuart Veall resulted in a try under the posts. The conversion was missed and Ross now had a comfortable lead for the final 10 minutes.

Strong tackling by centre Carl Pritchard and wing Russell Walker denied any form of attack Berry Hill mounted. The last try of the day sealed a fine victory. Berry Hill resorting to the long kick only found Ross full back Jack Ancram. After rounding his opposite number a fine kick found space, a fortunate bounce on the Berry Hill try line resulted in a scramble which was won by the ever eager Ancram . The try was converted by Gywnne to give Ross a very well deserved win.

This weeks Walford Timber man of the match was Tony Clements for his excellent work at the line out and general play around the pitch.

Next week, Ross 2nds are hoping for a pool match. Training takes places on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Ross Sports Centre from 6:45 until 8pm. All are welcome, old and new.

Ross Rowing Club supported the local head race (Time Trial) at Monmouth over 2000 meters on Sunday and with 21 entries, the club returned with an excellent eight wins.

Leading the wins were the Ladies 8 of Holly Campbell, Emily Preece Sharon Finch, Harry Dixon-Gough, Ellie Blackwood, Geene Watling, Dawn Evans, Annie Williams and Cox, Dan Ruck who beat their rivals from Monmouth by 18 seconds. This was followed by the veteran coxed IV of Paul Brodholt, Dave Sykes, Paul Nichols and Graham Watling, with Lucy Jones coxing.

For the Junior Academy, wins for the boys were notched up by Johan Lai in J13 singles, Will England and Morgan Gray and J14 double sculls. They were then joined by Joel Bullock and Rhodri Morris with Olivia Baynham-Williams to win J14 quads. For the girls, Ellie Grindle and Amy Surman won in J15 double sculls. Ellie Grindle also won the WJ14 single sculls and the J13 quads was won by Pippa England, Christina Stevenson, Rosie Ingram and Jess Crossman, with Rhodri Morris coxing. The Ross club was very close to picking up several other wins, with excellent performances by Rob Hewlett and Oliver Bartle in open novice double sculls, just missing out by a few seconds as did Lucy Jones in womens' Im 3 singles and Kerry Meek and Zoe Sarjant in womens' novice, double sculls.

Junior Captain, John Lewis commented, 'I was looking for the crews to focus on delivering the race plans and deliver honest performances in order for athletes and coaches to gauge the current performance levels. The level of integrity shown by the juniors was first class with everyone and crew working to their maximum current levels. It was especially pleasing to see the progress of the wider high performance squad who are responding so well with the support of Junior performance coach Ian Howell.

Next week, selected members of the High Performance Junior squad are competing at the Wallingford head, which is a 'premier league'" event.

Megan wins gold in Grimsby

While the junior Academy was at Monmouth Regatta, Megan Jephcote travelled over to Grimsby to take part in the Grimsby Indoor rowing championships. Megan produced a personal best to take gold in her open J12 event and beat a boy in the process!