Ruoss hat-trick inspires Bletchley to brilliant fightback win against Marlow
Ben Ruoss scored a hat-trick of tries as Bletchley maintained their title challenge in the Counties Two Tribute Ale Berks/Bucks & Oxon East division with a superb 45-33 comeback win against fellow high-flyers Marlow IIs.
The win sees Bletchley sitting third in the table after six matches played, just four points adrift of leaders Milton Keynes.
Bletchley ran in seven tries to seal an impressive win, especially as they had looked to be in real trouble as they trailed 21-12 at half-time.
Marlow started well and took an early 7-0 lead, but Bletchley hit back to score a try of their own through Wade Twiselton, although the conversion was missed to make it 7-5.
Three minutes later and Bletchley were in front as fly-half Jake Allen delivered a crossfield kick that was collected by flanker Ollie Comery who scored.
This time Kyle Gibbings slotted the conversion and Bletchley led 12-7.
The contest became increasingly physical and on 23 minutes Bletchley flanker Luke Cooper was shown a yellow card and Marlow capitalised.
Five minutes before the break, the visitors scored a converted try to go 14-12 ahead, and three minutes later they added another seven-pointer to go in at the break 21-12 to the good.
Bletchley needed a strong start to the second half and they got it, with scrum-half Ruoss darting over the line from five metres out.
Gibbings converted to reduce the arrears to 21-19, and 10 minutes later the home side were in front.
Another excellent attacking kick from Allen caused problems and five-man Bletchley chase put Marlow under pressure, and it was winger John Waite who fived over the line with the ball.
The conversion was missed, but Bletchley were 24-21 ahead.
The home side were on song now and when Ruoss went over for a second try, converted by Gibbings, Bletchley looked in control at 31-21.
But Marlow wouldn't lie down and scored a try to make it 31-26.
Bletchley went on the attack again though, with Ruoss completing his hat-trick, and there was then a further try from Luke Cooper to end the scoring, with Gibbings ending up with five successful conversions out of seven.
Bletchley are back on the road this Saturday as they make the trip to a Maidenhead side that sit sixth in the table.