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Ross 2nds took the long journey north on Saturday for a league encounter with top of the table Stourbridge Lions. On a windy afternoon a mainly young Ross side performed admirably, however it was an experienced Stourbridge side that prevailed 33-12.

Stourbridge elected to play with a gusty wind in the first half and as a result Ross found it difficult to get out of their own half, the Stourbridge 10 took every opportunity to pin Ross back in their own twenty two, and it was only some strong tackling by TC Leech, Russell Walker and Ellis that prevented Stourbridge taking an early lead.

As the half progressed however the pressure took its toll and eventually Strourbridge did convert one of their many chances to open the scoring putting them 7-0 ahead. Within minutes they had doubled their lead as some weak tackling out wide let their winger in to score, putting them 14-0 ahead. With the conditions against Ross they dug in and more strong tackling looked as if Ross would get to half time only two scores down however on the last play of the half Stourbridge added another try to go in at 19-0 ahead at half time.

With the wind at their backs Ross started the half strongly, they quickly camped themselves in the Stourbridge twenty two, Dave Mince went close, quickly followed by Alex Bound and Sam Griffiths however Stourbridge held out. Then Ross suffered a cruel bit of luck that saw Stpourbridge add another try, after a clearing kick from the Stourbridge no 10, Karl Pritchard ran the ball back, beating the first two tacklers, he then offloaded to TC Leech, the ball bounced up off TC’s shoulder into the arms of the Stourbridge winger who raced clear to score, putting them 26-0 ahead.

Ross however refused to buckle and played their best rugby for the next 30 minutes, with Karl Pritchard at fullback running back all the loose kicks Ross finally got on the score sheet. After Rob Jode found TC at the lineout the ball was quickly moved across the backline, Huw Bellamy took the supporting pass dummied his man and accelerated over to score. Sam Griffiths added the conversion and the score was 26-7.

Almost immediately Ross added another score, from the kick off Huw Bellamy put in a huge clearing kick, the Stourbridge fullback was tackled by Pickles Rawlings, TC picked up the spilt ball and crossed to score, Ross were now only 26-12 down.

Ross were unable to add another score and with time running out Stourbridge added their fifth try and the game ended 33-12 to Stourbridge.

This young and inexperienced Ross side should be proud off their performance against a strong experienced Stourbridge outfit.The Walford timber man of the match was Karl Pritchard for his counter attacking from fullback.

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