Gloucester Counties Tribute 4

Aretians 21 Ross 1st XV 14

ROSS RFC commenced their league season with an away fixture and a narrow loss at Aretians in Bristol, after a second half fightback reports IAN PHILLIPS.

Both teams have recently fallen on harder times, but this was quite a fitting fixture with the two clubs looking positively at the future.

Ross did not start the best, losing full-back Tom Muldowney to an injury within 10 mins and centre Dan Pearson on 35mins.

This enabled Aretians to fare the better in the first half, scoring on 15 mins following a series of rucks which was converted by their No. 9.

On 30 mins they doubled their lead with a score in the corner and the conversion was sublimely put over the sticks from the touch line.

And the last play of the half saw the hosts score another converted try to take them in at the interval 21-0 up.

The second half was a different story though, with Ross finally finding their feet.

They almost scored from the re-start but the ref judged the Ross pack to have knocked on before going over the line.

Undeterred, a drive from prop Luke Wards set up Keiran Terry to score and Thomas Mulhearn to convert to make it 21-7.

Second row Tom Derrick was then was on hand to reach over the line to score under the posts, which was again converted by Mulhearn for 21-14 to set up a frantic finish.

Man of the match Chris Thomas, playing in his newfound position at centre, ran a great line to break through, but desperate defence prevented him from going over.

And at the final whistle, both teams looked exhausted and had given their all, Aretians hanging on for the win and both looking forward to the rest of the season.

The next league game for Ross, who are sponsored by HP Scaffolding, is home to Gordon League 2nds from Gloucester on Saturday, October 12,