ROSS have missed out on grabbing their hands on the North Midlands Plate after crashing out to Redditch at the semi-final stage.

Connor Poole and Casey Morgan both went close to scoring for Ross in the first half, but it was Redditch who opened the scoring after driving over from a five-yard line-out.

Huw Bellamy’s trusty boot did however create two penalties to ensure they went into the break just 6-5 behind.

By the start of the second half, the pitch resembled a bog and both sets of forwards were covered in mud.

The conditions had a bearing on the game as the bigger Redditch pack were able to slow their play down.

They benefited by scoring two tries from scrums close to the Ross line to ensure they ran out 22-6 winners.

“Every loss is difficult to take, however the game enabled Ross to get 80 minutes under their belt before the league campaign re-starts this Saturday,” said Ross chairman Paul Haley.”

Ross currently occupy one of the automatic promotion places in South West Division Gloucester 2 and will fancy their chances of getting something from their away trip at Old Elizabethans.

The Bristol-based side are eighth in the table and were hammered 50-12 by Ross when the sides met in September.

Winger Craig Smith was in imperious form for Ross in that game, scoring four tries.

l Ledbury will be hoping to gain maximum points when they host Southam in a Midlands 3 (South) encounter at Ross Road.

Ledbury have had a mixed season so far, winning six and losing six of their 12 games.

But they go into the game on a back of a 44-10 win against Shipton-on-Stour which was achieved in their last game before the Christmas break.