Ross 1sts 41 - Dudley Wasps 12

Ross completed a perfect season on Sunday, running in seven tries to retain the North Midlands Cup against Dudley Wasps. In doing so they finished off a season where they played 27 matches and won 27 matches, winning the League and the Forest of Dean combination cup as well as the North Midlands RFU Cup.

With the sun on their backs, Ross looked sharp from the off, moving the ball quickly from the breakdown and through the hands. Dudley struggled to prevent Ross getting over the gainline and within ten minutes Ross were two tries to the good.

First, Chris Thomas scored wide, out on the right, after some great handling put him clear. Then, a sublime score from Louis Morgan, after some great offloading from Johnnie Baynham and Casey Morgan, put him through a gap in the Dudley defence to score. Thai Hayward added the two and Ross were 12-0 ahead.

Dudley however, did not lie down, as the home team in front of a large crowd, they looked to get back into the game through their big ball carriers. However, the Ross defence held firm and after weathering the storm Ross hit back with two further scores.

Gavin Oates outpaced the home defence to score then Josh Element crashed over. Thai added another conversion and with ten minutes to half time, Ross were 24-0 ahead.

Dudleys perserverence paid off as they scored just before the half time whistle, so at the break Ross were 24-5 ahead.

The second half mirrored the first. Ross started strongly and within five minutes Gavin Oates had added another score putting Ross 31-5 clear. By now Dudley were looking to run everything as they looked for a way back into the contest, this led to errors and it was from two of these that Ross added another two scores. Firstly, from a penalty scrum half, Marcus Barnard took a quick tap and sidestepped his way through the retreating defence to score, then after a Dudley knock on at halfway, the ball fell to Peter Jarvis, who chipped the ball to winger Craig Smith, who outpaced the defence to score, putting Ross 41-5 ahead. Dudley did add a late score but Ross were worthy winners 41-12 and retained the trophy they won last May.

Ross would like to thank all the coaches, players and their partners, supporters, sponsors and volunteers for all their help and support throughout the season.