The Ollie Floyd Memorial Trophy was at stake as a Ross XV took on a Forest XV in a very competitive fixture on Sunday.

The Forest XV was strong, with most the players coming from Drybrook RFC, whereas the Ross XV had more of a scratch feel about it. The teams were invitational with everyone who played having been a team mate of Ollie in the past.

The away side dominated much of the game and Ross struggled to keep hold of possession as the Forest ran out 22-15 winners to lift the Memorial Trophy.

Ross outside-half and organiser of the event, Gavin Oates, told the Ross Gazette: “It was always going to be tough today but it wasn’t really about the result, it was about remembering Ollie.”

The game started in wet conditions, making handling difficult for both sides as the game became dictated by the forwards, with the scrum and lineout proving crucial.

This Ross side had not often played together as a group and it showed in the lineout as they lacked the cohesion to win their own ball. This gifted possession back to the Forest and despite also making several mistakes in the opening 20 minutes, were gaining a hold on game.

Read the full report in this week’s Ross Gazette