Ellingham & Ringwood 1st XV travelled to Basingstoke to try and end 2024 with some festive cheer and extend their unbeaten run to 7 games and continue their pursuit of promotion, it was not going to be an easy game with the home team backed by a large and at times lively crowd sitting below the visitors in 4th place. Thankfully the weather gods were on the our side and the rain that had hampered the warm up stopped prior to kick off to assist both sets of players.

Ellingham were first to break the deadlock when the home team gave away a penalty and Chris Pablo Frost playing on the right wing expertly kicked through the uprights having to contend with a blustery wind to give Ellingham a 3 point lead in the 9th minute. Both sides found handling at times difficult, as a result both sets of forwards had to pack down for several scrums in the first half which were hotly contested. Neither side could breach the others defensive line, at times Ellingham had to dig deep and their full back and Man of the Match Chris Jeffes (pictured with his trademark punt) got the visitors out of danger several times from deep in their own twenty two with some fine clearance kicks. Then in the 37h minute after some fine work from the Ellingham forwards replacement flanker Corben Hills on for Ted Johnson muscled his way over the line to score the first try of the game. Chris Frost had a difficult kick to try and obtain the additional two points, but as mentioned the windy conditions played their part and he was unsuccessful. Making the half time score Basingstoke 0 - Ellingham & Ringwood 8.

The home team started the game strongly with their number 8 who had a fine game Soane Falekaono barging his way over the visitors try line to reduce the deficit to three points in the 45th minute, it remained that way as the conversion was not successful. This appeared to spark Ellingham into action and Hugo Leigh-Watts playing on the left wing used his pace and power to cross the try line in the 57th minute to pull away from Basingstoke. It was not a game for place kickers and sadly Frost was not able to extend the score. Basingstoke did not give up they fought hard and within five minutes they scored their second try of the game to close the gap once more to three points.

Five minutes later in the 67th minute Hugo Leigh-Watts following some good interchange play from Ellingham's forwards and backs he raced clear of the home sides defence and managed to run through to score his second try of the game giving Frost an easy conversion for the additional two points which he duly added. Basingstoke fought back and despite Ellingham giving away several penalties in a row as the game drew to a close they could not get back in the game, instead it was Ellingham looking for a bonus fourth try who looked more like scoring, but the vital last pass did not stick. Making the final score Basingstoke 10 - Ellingham & Ringwood 20 therefore maintaining the league position of third going into the New Year.

Swede