Ross Badgers 9 Cheltenham 2

ROSS on Wye’s Badgers hockey team were unstoppable in only their second match of their inaugural competitive season.

On Saturday they travelled away to Cheltenham under typical leaden skies. But as the game progressed and Ross’ dominance came to the fore, so the clouds parted and glorious autumnal sunshine lit up the pitch.

This was no makeshift team of arrant vagabonds that Ross was confronting, but a well drilled and experienced team from a great club with a great supply of talent at their disposal.

Then there was the style. This was hockey we thought had died and been laid to rest, killed by detailed analysis and the urge to be sensible. Sensible? This was glorious chaos, madness to put a spring in every parent’s step and an ulcer in the stomach of Coach Pete Jenkins.

Ross were dominant, with an ability to seize control when it mattered, a ruthlessness in front of goal and an instinctive understanding of what to do when the situation presents itself.

Captain for the day Luke Rogers decided that the player of the match award should go to Ben Topping for his continuous harassment of the opposition keeper.

Ross now look forward to a brief break for half-term, with their next league encounter not until 11am on 7th November when they play Lansdown at home (Monmouth School Sports Centre). Before then however, training continues at Monmouth Leisure Centre on Monday evenings and John Kyle High School on Wednesday evenings - both starting at 7pm. Anybody interested in playing is welcome to attend.