Ross on Wye Hockey Club welcomed local rivals Leominster to JKHS on Saturday, with both sides still searching for their first win of the season, and perhaps also for a bit of early-season confidence.

Leominster struck first, converting a short corner within the opening five minutes to put Ross on the back foot. But that only seemed to wake the hosts up. Ten minutes later, Franklin found himself in acres of space on the left...and, after what witnesses described as “a long internal debate” about what to do next, he produced an uncharacteristically elegant aerial ball over the top of the defence. Cross, clearly on the same wavelength (or just in the right place at the right time), sprinted in to deftly deflect the ball past the onrushing keeper.

Half time: 1–1, and all to play for.

Ross came out for the second half with renewed purpose and soon won a short corner. James stepped up and dispatched it at blistering pace - the sort of flick that makes defenders question their life choices.

The decisive moment came in the 50th minute. Aitken won the ball with determination, found James in space, who then picked out Cross lurking just outside the D. On his reverse, Cross drilled the ball past the keeper, in to the onion bag to seal the points for Ross.

From back to front, it was an impressive team display: sharp keeping (Holland), solid defending (Watts, Fuller, Walton, Hetenyi, Aitken) composed midfield play (Padfield-Fuller, Ward, Brown, Franklin) and strikers (Cross, James) doing exactly what strikers should - scoring goals.

A well-earned and much-needed first win of the season for Ross on Wye. Momentum, it seems, has finally arrived at RHC.

Goals: Cross x2, James
Assists: Franklin, James

Honourable mentions: AJ finding his pace. No cards! Watto/Wardy bullying Jake. Potentially assist of the season coming from the most unexpected person....Frankie.