Published: Thursday, 30th April, 2009 4:30am

Ross need two points to avoid drop

Aberdeenshire 15 v 6 Ross High

Ross High travelled north hopeful of securing a Murrayfield final but their dream slowly dissolved in the rain as Shire put them to the sword.

The county side seemed to lack confidence and appeared nervous, looking more to contain than take the game to the opposition. The forwards did attempt to attack, but all too often they were isolated and failed to link with the team to produce the fluent, punishing sorties prevalent a few months ago.

The back line rarely managed to gain yardage, seeing little possession and, when they did see the ball, they kicked away, failing to find touch or turn the opposition.

By contrast, Aberdeen chipped the ball behind the backs on several occasions causing Ross problems.

And it was through one of these deft chips that the only try of the first half was created. The Shire scrum-half lobbed a ball over the High pack from around 10 metres which the defence failed to secure. The home flanker then powered his way over despite attempts to hold him up by the Ross High backs.

The difference was soon narrowed through stand-off Dean Jones" second penalty of the afternoon.

After the interval, Aberdeenshire enjoyed most of the possession and only sturdy defence by Ross, which was the most redeeming part of their game, prevented more damage.

In a similar vein to the first half, any possession gained was kicked away, straight down the throats of the Shire defenders who exerted sustained pressure on Ross.

On the odd occasion the Tranent men ran the ball, there was no penetration and they were all too easily dumped to ground or bundled into touch.

In an attempt to run out of defence, Ross right winger Adam Hook floated a low pass - which was short in pace - to full-back Stuart Ross who tried to move the ball on.

But by the time it reached outside-centre Michael Patterson, three Shire players were on top of him. From the loose ball the Aberdeenshire No.8 pounced and released their speedy No.10 who galloped over almost unopposed for their second try.

Had Jones" penalty kick split the posts with seven minutes to go, an exciting finale could have ensued with High chasing a converted try for a berth in the SHE bowl final.

But now Ross High must lift their spirits for next week"s final fixture against Trinity Accies at Tranent, an important game for both teams.

Trinity require three points to secure second spot and promotion, while the county side are desperate for two points to avoid relegation. Ross High can leapfrog Strathmore who lay one point ahead of the Tranent men in ninth place.