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A frustrating afternoon for Ross RFC, after dominating an excillerating encounter, they fell agonisingly short of overhauling Old Colstonians lead, and finally 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 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 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 go to half time Ross made the mistake of switching off and 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 minutes period Colstonians added two more tries and a drop goal to lead 28-12 with 20 minutes to go, it seemed game over, however Ross gathered themselves and threw everything at Colstonians, keeping 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, quick hands from Ashley Nelms and Matt Jones put Gavin Oates clear, Ross moved 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 fro 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 left.Colstonians were now just hanging on, from the kick off again Wayne Williams secured the ball, 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 Oct Ross are away to Old Richians Gloucester 3pm kick off.

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