Ellingham and Ringwood 17 - Bognor 28

Our 1st XV hosted Bognor on Saturday, who got promoted alongside us and New Milton to Counties Hampshire 1 - and they were the only side last season to do the double over us last season. The opening exchanges were full blooded with both sides putting in some big hits on their opposite numbers, but it was Bognor who were first to breach the home teams defence to go over for their first try of the game, which they were unable to convert.

We fought back and continued pressure in the visitors 22 led to a number of penalties being awarded, and despite our efforts to get over the try line we did not succeed, so opted to go for an easy penalty in front of the posts which fly half Sammy Veneroso kicked. We continued to apply pressure to Bognor's defensive line, trying to release our winger with a long pass, but this did not work out and it was intercepted and Bognor were able to score their second try, which this time was converted.

Ill discipline from flanker Ted Johnson just before the half time break led to Bognor taking the easy 3 points available to make the score 3-15and we were a man down as Ted was given a yellow card.

The second half started very much like the start of the game with both sides trying to gain the advantage, further ill discipline from us led to two successive penalties for Bognor that were kicked to increase their lead. Then fly half Sammy Veneroso took command and after some good sustained pressure from our forwards, he wriggled his way over the try line to score under the posts to reduce the deficit and he converted his own try. Bognor fought back and managed to get another try which they converted.

Then with the last play of the game, our inside centre Chris Seaby ran from deep avoiding tackles but got held up just short of the try line. Matt Raybould, who had come on as a replacement at outside half was supporting his colleague and managed to collect the ball and twist over the line for a try. Sammy Veneroso was able to kick the conversion to make the final score Ellingham & Ringwood 17- Bognor 28.