After two testing warm up fixtures Ross Rugby Club were back in league action on Saturday as they kicked off their Gloucester League Division 1 2008/9 season away to Chipping Sodbury, the match ended in a 7 all draw.

After a slow start the game came to life in the second half and in the dying seconds a well earned victory was snatched away from Ross as Chipping Sodbury converted a last minute score to draw level.

The match started slowly for Ross. Some early errors gave Sodbury possession in the Ross twenty two. But the Ross defence was sound, and after a series of attacks they forced an error so Chay Brine was able to clear his lines.

After the frenetic opening ten minutes the game settled down, and Ross began to take the advantage. Some great scrimmaging from the Ross eight put the Sodbury pack under enormous pressure. However, Ross were unable to turn this superiority into points, both kickers spurned penalty opportunities and at the interval neither team had troubled the scorers.

Playing up the slope in the second half seemed to benefit Ross. Having to keep the ball in hand, they started to look the most likely to open their account. Their tackling around the fringes suddenly found a new aggression and as a result they were able to dominate possession during the third quarter.

After a sweeping move Ross opened the scoring. An aggressive double tackle by Tim Hanks and Dave Mince, in midfield, forced a Sodbury error. Ross were first to react, hacking the loose ball upfield. Ashley Nelms gathered the ball and timed a perfect pass to Adam Clements, who ran in unopposed from 30 yards out. Chay Brine converted and Ross were 7 - 0 ahead with 10 minutes remaining.

As the clock ticked down, it looked as if Ross had secured an important away win. However, after being awarded a dubious penalty, Sodbury set up one last attack. Initially Ross held firm, but from a further infringement Sodbury took a quick penalty and their centre scrambled over. They converted the try with the last kick of the game, levelling the score.

Next Saturday Ross will be at home to Longlevens at The Ross Sports Ground for a 3pm kick off. The Walford timber man of the match was Tara Barnett for an impressive scrimmaging display.