Ross searching for elusive win after dour home defeat (From Hereford Times)

Ross searching for elusive win after dour home defeat

10:35am Friday 5th February 2010 in

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Ross-on-Wye 0 pts Whitehall 10

ROSS’ search for a confidence-boosting victory continues after a dour home defeat in the Premier Division of the High Bridge Jewellers Gloucester League.

The south Herefordshire side had two players yellow-carded and did not create any scoring opportunities in an error-strewn match at Greytree last Saturday.

Dean Weaver scored the game’s only try in the 34th minute after he intercepted a loose pass from James Hughes and charged 25 metres to touch down under the posts.

Chris Rhodes landed the simple conversion and he sealed a league double for the Bristol club with a close-range penalty in the 67th minute.

Ross remain four points clear of the drop zone and will be desperate to end their barren spell at home to Bristol Saracens on Saturday.

A home walkover in November was the Herefordshire side’s last league points.

Worryingly, Ross have now lost their last nine league matches played since beating Hucclecote, 10-7, at home on September 26.

Edmond Leech and Hughes picked up yellow cards for Ross, who conceded 19 penalties compared to Whitehall’s six on a cold afternoon.

Whitehall full-back Chris Channon also had a spell in the sin-bin after an off-the-ball incident with Hughes in the 46th minute.

Ross and Whitehall struggled for fluency after an enforced lay-off owing to the bad weather.

The match was switched to Ross’ Greytree headquarters because frost covered the pitch at Ross Sports Centre.

Ross’ forwards were strong, particularly in the scrum, but their backs looked static and they failed to test the visiting defence.

Whitehall dominated territory and possession in the first half and Rhodes missed a 23rd-minute penalty.

Weaver’s converted try broke the deadlock six minutes before the break and Rhodes completed a frustrating afternoon for Ross with a late penalty.

Ross were given a late scare when veteran prop Tara Barnett left the field with a shoulder injury in the 78th minute.

The Herefordshire side’s goal is to safeguard their Premier Division status and they remain just a couple of wins away from achieving it.