ROSS-ON-WYE maintained their 100% start to Gloucester 2 of the South West Division after beating fellow high-fliers Smiths Rugby 13-8.

The Greytree outfit have been relentless this season, scoring well over 300 points.

But they knew they faced their toughest test against a fellow unbeaten team and it was the Cheltenham based visitors who were the quickest out of the blocks.

Smiths dominated possession, but Ross' defence held firm and kept the away side bay.

Both teams struggled to bring any fluency to their game, probably because they knew how important the game was.

As half-time approached, Ross only had two Aaron Ryder penalties to show for their efforts, with Smiths replying with a three-pointer of their own.

Defences again dominated after the break, but Ross managed to get the all important first try as the game entered the final quarter.

Gavin Oates broke from the back of the scrum and breached the first line of defence before offloading to Dan Field to score under the posts,

Ryder added the conversion to put Ross 13-3 up.

Smiths reduced the deficit with a try, but Ross held on for the win.

Ross' next game is away to second-from-bottom Aretians on December 9.