THREE quick tries in the third quarter ensured Ross-on-Wye beat Westbury-on-Severn 21-7 at Greytree to keep their slim Gloucester 2 promotion hopes alive.

For the majority of the first half, Ross were unable to impose their game, with scrums and lineouts dominating.

Westbury camped themselves in Ross' 22 and the home side would have gone into the half-time break behind if it was not for their strong defence.

But Ross were much braver with the ball in the second half and it wasn't long before they opened their account.

Some good approach work from the forwards and backs put Billy Hambling into space and he ran on to touch down.

Thai Hayward added the conversion to put Ross 7-0 up.

Ross' performance was in stark contrast to their first half display, with forwards and backs running hard and direct at the Westbury defence.

It was inevitable that another score would come and it duly did courtesy of Huw Bellamy, who finished off a move that saw Ross run and offload the ball from well within their own half. Hayward again kicked over the extras.

Within minutes, Ross were 21-0 up thanks to another great move.

This time, Josh Element touched down following a well-timed pass from his brother Ben; Bellamy this time converting.

Hayward later left the field following a cut to his head, but Ross managed to hold on despite Westbury grabbing a late penalty try.

Ross travel to league leaders Spartans (Gloucester) this Saturday.