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Saturday proved to be a frustrating afternoon for Ross RFC
for after dominating an exhilarating encounter, they fell
agonizingly short of overhauling Old Colstonians lead and
the referee’s final whistle halted a great second half comeback.
From
the kick off Ross quickly established territory deep in
the Colstonians half. Some strong running from Tim Hanks,
Wayne Williams and Ali Rees kept the Colstonians on the
back foot. From this platform, scrum half James Hughes was
able to snipe around rucks and ensure the Colstonian defence
could not rest. The only thing missing from this impressive
passage of play was a score and to add insult to injury,
with their first foray into the Ross half, the Colstonians
opened the scoring with a penalty.
From
the restart Ross went back on the offensive and this time
they ensured they came away with points. From a well taken
Matt Jones lineout, prop Tara Barnett took the ball into
the twenty two. Quick ball put outside half Simon Gwynne
in space and a well timed miss pass to fullback Chay Brine
saw him coast in to score. The conversion was missed and
Ross deservedly led 5-3. Ross continued to dominate upfront
with Ashley Nelms, Chris Price and Gavin Oates, all carrying
the ball hard into the Colstonian defence. It only seemed
a matter of time before Ross would increase their lead.
However, with 5 minutes to half time Ross made the mistake
of switching off. The Colstonians delivered a killer blow
in the form to two late tries and after dominating the half,
Ross turned round at half time 15-5 down.
Ross
knew they had to score first in the second half and they
duly struck the first blow. After both Luke Gray and Huw
Bellamy went close, it was scrum half James Hughes who was
able to wriggle over to score. He converted his try and
Ross had closed the gap to 15-12 and it seemed to be game
on. However, once again Ross lost concentration and in a
10 minute period the Old Colstonians added two more tries
and a drop goal to lead 28-12 with 20 minutes to go. It
seemed the game was over, however Ross gathered themselves
and threw everything at the Colstonians. Keeping the ball
in hand, they continued to build pressure. Some strong running
from Casey Morgan and Mike Davies put them deep in the Colstonian
twenty two and once again, James Hughes was able to cross
for another score. He converted and Ross were 28-19 down
with 10 minutes remaining.
From
the kick off Wayne Williams fed Mike Davies, who broke two
tackles before being tackled himself. Quick hands from Ashley
Nelms and Matt Jones put Gavin Oates clear. Ross moved the
ball quickly left, Bas Parker broke through a tackle before
passing to Craig Creed who was tackled 5 metres short of
the line. However, Gavin Oates was able to pick from the
back off the ruck and crash over to score. The conversion
was missed but Ross were now only 4 points adrift with 5
minutes of the game left.
The
Old Colstonians were now just hanging on. Once again from
the kick off, Wayne Williams secured the ball and Matt Redman,
then Gavin Oates made ground. Ross moved the ball left and
Centre, Luke Gray accelerated into the Colstonian twenty
two before being tackled. The ball was moved quickly right
and prop Wayne Williams put a grubber kick through for Casey
Morgan to chase. However, as the ball bounced over the line
he was beaten to the touch down by the Colstonian fullback.
From the twenty two drop out Ross knocked on and from the
resulting scrum, Colstonians kicked the ball dead and Ross’s
comeback had fallen just short.
The
Ross RFC GMP Web Design Man of the Match was Tim Hanks.
Next
Saturday, 17th October Ross are away to Old Richians of
Gloucester. Kick off is at 3pm.
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