Ross High RFC 6 - Waysiders Drumpelier RFC 10

In their last two league games Ross High had enjoyed forward superiority but on Saturday the tables were turned when a big, motivated Waysiders Drumpelier (WDs) pack blew Ross High away in the first half. The conditions, not far removed from a mud bath, suited the visitors and playing down the slope in that first period they kept the Tranent side pinned in their half. They were aided, on more than one occasion, by poor clearances from the Ross High backs and it was from one of these that the first try came about. Trying to get out from under the cosh, Ross lost the ball on halfway allowing WDs to break down their left and open the scoring in the corner.

A second try followed not long after during lock Bruce Stoddart’s spell in the sin bin. Ross High could be thankful that the WDs stand off did not have his kicking boots with as he missed all of his conversion and penalty attempts.

It took the High 30 minutes to actually get into their opponents half with possession of the ball and it resulted in a penalty award which stand off Dean Jones converted. So at half time Ross High found themselves seven points adrift but it could have been a lot worse.

It was obvious that Ross High had to put their visitors under pressure territorially as soon as possible if they were to turn the game around, but, unfortunately, just after the restart they lost lock Kevin Brogan to the sin bin for a clear out at the ruck adjudged to be after the whistle. This meant Ross had to suffer more pressure from the big WDs pack who now had superior numbers. Never the less, the Ross High defence held firm and no points had been conceded by the time the lock forward returned to the fray.

Ross slowly began to get into the game as Jones tried to kick WDs back into their 22. He was ably abetted by Ryan Mc Donald on the left wing whose pace in following up the kicks had WDs in all sorts of bother.
Eventually, with 15 minutes remaining, Ross were awarded a penalty and Jones took the three points.

For the last 12 minutes Ross High huffed and puffed at the WDs line but to no avail due in the main to poor passing , bad handling and, not least, weariness brought about by the quagmire of a pitch. There was no further scoring but Ross were left to count the cost of the bruising contest. Hooker Nick Tinlin, broken nose; flanker Darren Fleming, popped rib cartilage; flanker Steven Henderson two broken bones in the right hand; No 8 Steven Ketchin, damaged coccyx; and centre Michael Patterson a damaged shoulder. Just what the doctor ordered before the Cup game on Saturday against National 1 side Royal High Corstorphine.

Ross High RFC 23 v Strathmore RFC 3

Historically big scores have been on record when Ross High and Strathmore meet. Fifteen years ago Ross High got briefly into the record books when they defeated Strathmore 127 - 3 ( when tries were 4 points), but this year on a trip to Forfar were on the receiving end of a 76 - 0 thumping. So, tries a-plenty on this outing? No, but a physical contest full of commitment from both sides produced an enthralling match, if somewhat less than top of the menu rugby.

Strathmore started purposefully with the look of a team who were in search of a bonus point. Their forwards were dominant for the first 10 minutes but were frustrated by resolute Ross High defence. Eventually, the Tranent pack stepped up to the pace and began to take the game to their opponents and after 16 minutes, got he first points of the game when Dean Jones slotted home a penalty. He repeated the performance 11 minutes later to put Ross High 6-0 ahead.

The Forfar men showed their potential when they broke out of defence with very slick and fast hands which produced one of the best moves of the game. The move was halted by a tackle by Graham McCran, who needed attention after the hit. Strathmore got their reward for some pressure when Ross High elected to run a free kick out of their own half and in the process lost the ball which, after a couple of phases, resulted in a penalty for the visitors which they converted.

Ross immediately hit back driving up the slope and their ever improving pack set up a platform for a series of assaults on the Strathmore line, resulting in tight head prop, Luke Welsh, scoring for the second week on the trot. Jones converted.

Kicking down the slope in the second half, Ross showed their intention of keeping Strathmore pinned in their 22 with a series of punishing punts by stand off Jones, who was having one of the best games of his season so far. The same player saw a gap in the Strathmore defence and glided through from 12 metres to score and then convert his own try.

Strathmore tried to come back but by now the Ross pack were flexing their muscles and were on top of the forward exchanges, closing down all their opponents attempts to breach the defensive line. The Strathmore frustration was evident as on more than one occasion their half backs were resorting to chipping the ball over the High wall only to see it swept up by the cover and returned with interest. The final points of the game came from the boot of that man Jones again as he slotted his third penalty.

A good hard won victory for Ross High, but here is no rest as they go to Midlothian to face the unbeaten Lasswade next Saturday.

Lenzie RFC 14 v Ross High RFC 23

Having learned from last week’s disastrous journey through to Allan
Glen’s, Ross High left in plenty of time to go to Lenzie which is a
mere 4 miles from the Glen’s ground. After a rigorous warm up Ross
were well prepared to face 4th placed Lenzie who were looking to build
on their victory over Strathmore to keep their promotion hopes alive.
The pitch was gluey suggesting fitness would play a part at the end of
the day and Ross would recall the first encounter against the same
opposition when the team from the west showed superiority in this
department, coming back from 16-7 down to win by the odd point.

The game started at a furious pace but most of the action was
contained in the middle area of the pitch due to strong tackling by
both sides and the only time the 22s saw action was through searching
kicks. Ross High got the first points of the game when Dean Jones
slotted two consecutive penalties, the first on the 15 minute mark.
Ross were beginning to force the pace and after a period sustained
attack they were rewarded for their efforts when prop Luke Welsh
crashed over close to the posts. Jones added the 2 points to make the
half time score 13 -0 .

The High were aware that Lenzie would throw the lot at them from the
start and prepared to defend from the kick off, but it was the visitors
who went ahead from a penalty awarded for off side through the
consistent boot of stand off Jones. The home side attacked with
determination from the re-start with strong running from the back row
and centres resulting in a 10 minute spell when Ross were hemmed in
their own half. The visitor’s defence was immense during this period
which saw them repel 16 phases of continuous attack. Indeed, the fury
of their tackling saw them actually advance 15 to 20 metres up the
park.

Having survived the initial onslaught Ross High began to make a few
sorties into the oppositon half but it was during one of these that a
hole appeared in the Tranent defence and Lenzie launched a speedy
break which was arrested just short of the away side’s line. Lenzie
recycled the ball and after a series of attempts to force their way
over that final yard they eventually succeeded close to the posts and
the try was converted.

Again Ross took the game to the home side only to witness a repeat
scenario when Lenzie broke out a t speed down their left wing and, with
only full back Paul Davis to beat, the winger fed inside to the
supporting player who ran in to score. The try was converted.

With thoughts of that previous encounter with Lenzie nagging in their
heads Ross made a supreme effort both physically and mentally and at
this point their forwards took over the game. They many massive hits
and put the game to rest when No.8, Stephen Ketchen picked up from 10
metres out and burst through to score a try which Jones converted.

The last few minutes saw the Ross forwards run the clock down from the
back of a series of controlled rucks. At no-side both teams were tired
and battered after an enthralling contest. It would be unfair to pick
out any individual in the Ross High side for special praise as this was
a complete team effort.

Next week Ross are at home to Strathmore looking forward to playing on
their own patch for the first time since 19th October and only the
fifth time this season .

Hi All
Just an update about the changing rooms
HOME Changing room,
to be done !!
Ceiling painted (at least 2 coats)
Walls to be painted (1 more coat)
Showers to be tiled (Scott Glynn to arrange)
shower ceiling to be painted (S.G)
the lights are up and working ,the door has been fitted,and Floor will be laid (along with the other changing room and 2 toilets and corridor)


AWAY CHANGING ROOM

Ceiling painted (at least 2 coats)
Walls to be painted (2 more coats)
Showers to be tiled (Scott Glynn to arrange)
shower ceiling to be painted (S.G)
the lights are up and working ,the door has been fitted,and Floor will be laid (along with the other changing room and 2 toilets and corridor)

LADIES AND GENTS TOILETS

Walls to be painted (2 more coats...Just the brickwork as the back walls have to be plastered

Floor will be laid (along with the changing rooms)

Anyone that give up any time to assist as,this would be much appreciated.

ALSO..... if there are any joiners availible to help "DWANG" the other room( 2nd ,3rd changing rooms and utility room etc)then please let me know .
Thanks

Scott Glynn
PRESIDENT
R.H.R.F.C.

Allan Glen’s RFC 22 Ross High RFC 10

Having looked to turn the corner with back to back wins where 94 points were scored, Ross High came back to earth with a thump in Bishopriggs on Sunday. Ross have not looked too convincing on their travels this season and things were not helped on this trip when the bus was caught up in an enormous tail back at Harthill, which added 40 minutes to the journey. The referee agreed to delay kick off by 10 minutes but everything from that point was done at a rush, which was a bit unsettling for the players. In this rushed warm up winger Adam Hook, making his first league start for the 1stXV, pulled up short and appeared to pull a hamstring. Gareth Stevenson stepped up from the bench.

The evidence that Ross were not switched on was shown from the kick off when their kick failed to reach the 10 metre line and Allan Glen’s were handed possession from the resultant scrum. This set the stage for the next 20 minutes with Ross unable to break out or properly clear their lines. As a result they quickly found themselves 9 points down to three converted penalties by the home side’s No.15. On the half hour mark RHS got on the score sheet when Dean Jones converted a penalty, just to see, on the approach of half time, Glen’s restore their 9 point lead with a fourth successful penalty.

Although the pitch was wide both teams preferred to compact the action leaving acres of unused space on the wings. The action was fairly furious but had no real pattern and it came as no surprise that the next score was another penalty courtesy of the home side’s full back for his fifth successful out of five.

With about 15 minutes to go the first try of the game came when Allan Glen’s No8 spotted a gap in the previously solid Ross High defence to score close to the posts, which was duly converted. At this point Nick Tinlin, who had put in a power of work but picked up a knee knock, was replaced by Justin Savala who went blind side flanker and Steven Henderson moved up to hooker. The conceded try seemed to stimulate the Tranent team at last and they aggressively took the game to Glen’s.
Within 2 minutes they gained a try back when lock Bruce Stoddart forced himself over after strong running from centre Bob Bailey. The High launched everything at the home side hemming them into their 22 for the last 10 minutes, but it was a case of too little too late and coach Jamieson was left to ponder the other side of the Ross High coin , having witnessed the glittering one last week. ‘Certainly a lot to work on ‘ was the wry response.

Ross are away again next week to Lenzie and, hopefully they can work out a way to remedy the travel problem.

Lismore RFC 13 v Ross High RFC 39

Ross High RFC’s new coach, Keith Jamieson was left with a positive impression when he witnessed his new charges put on a more than competent display on Saturday against Lismore. Any win away from home is welcomed but to secure the bonus point as well, puts the icing on the cake. The pleasure of the result had the shine taken off it with the injury to flanker Martin Welsh, who broke three ribs and will be unavailable for about six weeks.

The game was played at Liberton H S on a pitch with quite a slope up which Lismore chose to play in the first half, a ploy which may have benefited them in the past. Not so this time, as Ross High applied pressure more or less from the kick off, and went into a seven point lead within ten minutes. The first score saw centre Bob Bailey weave his way through the first line of Lismore defence, then use great strength to barge through following tackles to touch down close to the posts. Dean Jones converted.

Within a further three minutes Ross had doubled their lead when Bailey was again involved slipping an inside pass to fellow centre Michael Patterson who ran in to score between the posts. Jones again converted. Stand off Jones then got on the try score sheet himself when he ‘twinkle toed‘ through the home side’s defence from 15 metres out. The captain converted his own try.

If Ross High thought this was going to be easy Lismore began to force their way up the slope and only sturdy defence stopped them crossing the Tranent men’s line. Ross, however, were the next scorers when Jones added a penalty but Lismore hit back with two penalties almost back to back. Just on half time No. 8 Stephen Ketchen finished off a slick move when he extended an arm to touch down against the post.
Jones added the two points. Half time: 6 - 31

Lismore came out in the second half determined to use the slope to full advantage and flung the lot at the High, but the visitors remained calm and rebuffed the onslaught. Indeed they were unlucky when Patterson, after a darting break, kicked to the corner and replacement winger, Adam Hook, dived on the ball bringing joy to the Ross support, but the slope had created an illusion and the touch down was just short. Lismore were still determined but showing signs of desperation and with around 15 minutes to go Ross put the result beyond question with a fifth try. The Tranent men kept the best for last when scrum half Jamie Evans broke to the right blind side and fed Graham McCran who crossed into the opponents half and fed inside where several pairs of hands moved the ball left to see full back Paul Davis go over in the corner. As the game drew to a close, a lapse in concentration allowed Lismore in for a well deserved consolation try.
Full time 13 - 39

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With Ross High languishing near the foot of the division but this position belied their true abilities. They had been unable to draw upon their first choice players earlier in the season and ran up a series of unexpected losses. On paper they looked like a pushover but the squad that appeared at Ardencaple looked most workmanlike during their warm-up.
Helensburgh started the game with the breeze behind them on a drying pitch and dominated early territory but the bulky Ross High pack maintained control in the tight. The referee appeared to be interested in going through the Laws dishing out penalties to both sides resulting in a stop start game. The home side were the more enterprising in attack with Black, Holmes & Tyson eager to find a way past the opposition but unforced errors saw these attacks break down.
A change in tactics saw Gibson pick & drive deep into the Ross High half and the referee penalised the visitors for a high tackle. Chris Black’s penalty opened the scoring with twenty minutes played.
Helensburgh backs were using the breeze with some high kicks but the Ross High’s Paul Davis at Full back was quite relaxed under these bombardments. Ross were growing in confidence keeping ball tight with their pack now gaining ground in the Burgh half but the home side was absorbing these rushes with solid covering tackles combining with accurate line kicks from Black.
Tyson fielded a high ball and ran intelligently at the opposition to feed an agile Walker who beat the first line of defence and release McNee to sprint for the line. Diminutive McNee managed to pass out of the tackle to a supporting MacCrimmond who crossed the try line with a half hour played. Black’s conversion took the score to Helensburgh 10 Ross High 0.
Wingman Rettie following up a high ball crash tackled with Ross’s Robert Baillie but had to be carried from the field with a knee injury to be replaced by Alistair Cairns. Continued pressure from the Burgh in the visitors half resulted in Black slotting over a second penalty for infringements at the breakdown.
The visitors continued to compete but Frame broke from the base of a ruck to find Inglis then Calderwood lying off to release Stevie Walker. Walker with pace and a series of sidesteps broke inside & touched down. The conversion drifted wide as the referee blew for half time with the score Helensburgh 18 Ross High 0.
Burgh had refreshed their eight at the break with Drake back on again and Sommerville replacing Gibson at number eight but the Ross High restart kick did not travel the statutory 10 metres.
Ross High quickly overcame their kick off faux pas and with the breeze behind them started to stamp their authority on the game. A number of pick ups by Ross High Steven Ketchin saw territory gained and dogged following up by their pack drove the Burgh back into their red zone. Gibson did not have long on the subs bench as Inglis hobbled off with a damaged knee.
Continued drives from the Ross High pack provided them with good field position and a quick pick up by Ross’s Jamie Evans allowing him to outwit the home defence and run in for a well taken try . The conversion slotted between the uprights to close the score to Helensburgh 18 Ross High 7 with only 7 minutes of the second half played.
The home side appeared to lose direction and this allowed the visitors the run of the paddock for about 15 minutes with a number of attacks coming close. Their sole reward was a penalty for offside by the Burgh backs. Jones slotted over the kick to further narrow the score to Helensburgh 18 Ross High 10 as the contest moved into the final quarter.
The Burgh at last wakened up to the fact that the game could be slipping away from them and they refocused their efforts. Inglis had rejoined the fray and was providing solid possession from the lineout. Ross High were not lying down as Burgh reasserted their control and a number of chip & chases saw Burgh again retreating into their red zone. Ross High were also making intelligent use of the breeze but good communication by the Burgh back 3 now ensured a watertight defence
Running strongly out of defence Riding took play up into the visitors 22 and a number of attacks were launched from this platform. A strong forward rumble by the Helensburgh pack led by Calderwood saw Watt take the ball on the burst to drive over for try number three. The conversion was slotted between the posts to take the score to Helensburgh 25 Ross High 10.
Ross High responded quickly and only a solid try saving tackle from Tyson stopped what looked like a certain try as Ross High’s Jones breached a static Burgh defence.
Helensburgh had left things late and as the game went into injury time a concerted attack led by Riding saw the ball through forwards & backs but a spilled pass 5 metres from the line saw the chance of bonus point slip away.
This had been a well contested game providing great entertainment for the capacity crowd.

Two players from Edinburgh Rugby (Scott Newlands & Andrew Easson) came out about 7:30pm to present the club with a special framed Edinburgh Shirt. They watched some of the training, got a tour of the club from Scott then made the presentation about 8:15pm. Afterwards they enjoyed some of Tam Orr's pasta in the club while discussing the finer points of rugby with our 1st XV Manager.

Click here to view

The club would like to congratulate to Scott Newlands for being selected for the Edinburgh team to play Leinster in the first Heinekin Cup match at Murrayfield k/o 1:35pm Sat. 11th Oct 2008 - why not go along this weekend if you are free.

Edinburgh Club Ambassador (Liam Gordon)

It was a case of ‘elevenses’ before half time as far as Ross High were
concerned when they visited Grangemouth on Saturday, with captain Dean
Jones converting three penalties on the 11th, 22nd, and 33rd minutes to
give the Tranent men a 9-0 lead at the interval. Although the large
park was in good condition, the weather was not, with cold rain blowing
into the faces of Ross High from the kick- off making handling
difficult. Grangemouth were a fairly big outfit and early thoughts
were that the Ross pace could be a telling factor although the
conditions were to prove a problem to both sides. Despite surges from
Ryan Strachan and Chris Hutchison, the Ross could not break through
those last few yards, conceding penalties for not releasing in the
eyes of the French referee, and only had the three penalties to show at
the end of the half.

With the wind at their backs Ross High were intent on putting
Grangemouth under territorial pressure and a series of long range kicks
by Jones saw to this. On the hour mark, and after a period of
encampment in the opposition 22, the first try came in the left corner,
thanks to flanker Steven Henderson who had followed up a backs move.
Ross High kept up the pressure and the confidence of last season looked
to be returning and two more tries were to follow. Both involved stand-
off Jones but the No.10 would be the first to admit a bit of good
fortune was involved in both. Also, of course, he would say you play
for your luck! In the first instant Jones made a lovely break from
behind a ruck and with the line a yard away he passed to loose-head
prop, Ian Clarke. Unfortunately the pass was at ankle level resulting
in the ball being hacked through into a Grangemouth player’s hands and
he duly attempted to clear his lines, straight into the advancing Jones
who charged the kick down and fell on the loose ball to score. Jones
converted.

The second try came a few minutes later after a delightful interchange
between Jones and Hutchison which saw Jones clear on the line with one
defender to beat and Ross left wing, Graeme McCran, outside him. The
stand-off elected to ignore his winger and go himself , right into the
arms of the defender who had guessed correctly, but not before he had
managed to off load to scrum half Jamie Evans, who seemed to appear
from nowhere. Jones again converted. The sin-binning of 2nd row,
Bruce Stoddart, saw Ross High come under pressure for the first time in
the 2nd half and they conceded a try when , after a period of pressure
close to the Ross line, the home team flanker dived through. The try
was not converted. The last plays of the half saw Ross going for the
bonus point but it was not to be.

In the pack there were good performances from Ryan Strachan, Luke
Welsh and Kevin Brogan, with Bruce Stoddard a telling influence on his
return. Behind the scrum Michael Patterson looked hungry for the ball
and Jones led his line well , kicking superbly throughout.

FPD