They say when the going gets tough, the tough get going and on Saturday, Ross toughed out another crucial victory against Southmead, taking themselves eight points clear of the relegation zone. With only 3 league fixtures remaining it looks as if Ross have secured their place in the Gloucester Premier League for another season. With a win so critical to their Premiership survival, it was important that Ross started well and from the kick off, it was they who were sharper in thought and deed.

Ross quickly established play in the Southmead half and were ahead after 10 minutes after securing their own lineout ball 40 yards out. First Adam Clements, then Chris Price made the hard yards into the Southmead defence. From the ensuing ruck, Ross moved the ball left and Wing, Josh Morgan beat two defenders before being tackled 15 yards from the line. Ross secured the ball and scrum half, Craig Powell passed the ball to Player-coach Lee Cleaver who outpaced the defence to score. Casey Morgan missed the conversion but Ross were 5-0 ahead. Ross continued to pressurize Southmead and looked in control of the encounter. However, an intercepted pass deep in the Southmead twenty two, set up a series of rucks from which Southmead scored against the run of play and both teams went into half time level at 5-5.

The pressure seemed to get to Ross in the third quarter. With lots of possession they had a number of chances to take the lead, but some nervy passing meant that these came to nothing and as the game entered the last quarter the score was still 5-5. However, with less than 15 minutes remaining Ross scored what was to be the winning score. From a Southmead scrum, substitute scrum half, Huw Bellamy scagged his opposite number at the back of the scrum, driving him back 5 yards. The Ross forwards pounced, turning over the ball, Huw Bellamy moved the ball quickly to the left to Lee Cleaver who ran the 50 metres to score in the corner, giving Ross a 10-5 lead. Ross played out the last 15 minutes to secure a crucial win.

The Premier Catering Man of the match was Lee Cleaver for his two tries. Ross are back in league action on Saturday, 26th March away to Frampton Cotterell.

Ross RFC 2nd XV travelled to Evesham 1st XV last Saturday and were well and truly beaten in what was a disappointing game and probably their worst this season.

From the off, Evesham scored tries for fun, running in several by half time. Ross' tackling was non existent, but losing Grant Holdsworth and Richard Russell through injuries, which saw Grant taken to hospital with a lower back injury did not help. All in all, it was not a good day. Ross did muster some effort in the 2nd half and eventually gained 5 points at the death with a try from Winger, Ian Davies. Special mention must be made for inexperienced youngsters, George Scudamore and Dave Stewart for gutsy performances. Ian Davies was man of the match.

On Saturday, 19th, Ross 2nd XV will play away to Halesowen in another merit table game.