Ross lose in Tullow fortress
ANOTHER LOSS for the Rossonians, this time away in the fortress of Tullow's Black Gates. Despite the serious injury woes that have hampered the Ross cause of late, this performance was well below the standards that have been set.
In an error-ridden first-half, Tullow dominated the game without ever having huge primary possession. The Ross mistakes and quick turnover ball made Tullow look like a French team.
Their centre crashed over from one such turned over ball late in the first-half to add seven to an earlier penalty, leaving it 10-0 at half-time. A far more concerted effort was needed and it appeared to be on the cards at the start of the secondhalf, as a huge maul from the pack saw Damien Haberlin take the spoils. It was 10-7 and all looked set for a Ross comeback.
In what can best be described as a helter skelter last 20 minutes, both sides saw opportunities to finish it off but the only score proved to be a penalty, leaving the final score 13-7.
A massive improvement is needed to get back to the level of performance required at this level, but Ross have two great opportunites in the next few weeks, with Wicklow on March 7 and Mullingar on March 13 in the cup, both in the natural amphitheatre of Southknock.
