Ross Badgers 2 Lansdown 0

ON Saturday morning, Ross Junior Hockey Team (Badgers) played a home fixture at Monmouth School Sports Club against Lansdown Hockey Club from Cheltenham. So far in this inaugural league season Ross remain undefeated, with three wins from three. Could Lansdown bring them down to earth?

The weather gods certainly appeared to try and make some sort of statement, with driving wind and rain for the majority of the match. Only in the dying moments did sunshine break through leaden skies to smile upon another momentous victory for the Badgers.

Similarly it was with only ten minutes remaining and both sides on weak legs and wobbly nerves after a wonderfully ferocious contest when Ross could believe they had finally beaten a strong opposition following a wonderfully conceived second goal, artfully taken by Archie Oubridge-Brock.

Just before the first half break Ross had managed to grab a deserved lead when Lewis Stone latched on to a through ball, before rounding the Lansdown keeper after some great work from Dan Mills and Rory Calderwood.

During the interval, coach Pete Jenkins decided to take off the Ross keeper and play with eleven outfield players. Whilst this created great excitement as a match, for too many moments after the restart spectators were left with hearts in mouths as Luke Watts in defence was left to fend off on-rushing attackers alone. Despite some hair-raising moments, his stoical defence did allow midfielders Amie Jenkins, Laura Benjamin, Elysia Williams and Beth Randall time to eventually wrestle control and dominate.

Captain for the day Cerys Williams decided that the player of the match award should go to Luke Watts for almost single-handedly keeping a clean sheet.

Next week Ross take to the road in order to face Cirencester away at Deer Park School with a 2.40pm start. Before then, training continues at Monmouth Leisure Centre on Monday evenings commencing at 7pm. Anybody interested in playing is welcome to attend, whatever ability.