Ellingham & Ringwood 1st XV travelled the short distance across the New Forest to their rivals New Milton, who despite having a difficult season results wise Ellingham always know they are going to be in for a tough game against the local neighbours. Over the season I have reported that Ellingham make life difficult for themselves in matches due to their disciplinary record and today they out did themselves within the first four minutes of the game with New Milton pressing for an opening score and embedded in the away teams twenty two, the visitors gave away six penalties and Chris Frost and Dean Smith received a yellow card each.

Despite Ellingham's depleted numbers they managed to defend the relentless attacks for New Milton then break away up field with Dan Stewart striding out of defence and the ball ending up with Hugo Leigh-Watts playing at full back crashing over the line in the corner to get the first try of the game in the ninth minute to give Ellingham the lead, which Tom Veneroso playing at fly half was unable to convert for the additional two points. Credit must be given to Ellingham's defence as the home team could not breach their visitors try line in the first half despite having numerical advantage at times, then in the 20th minute with Ellingham's number restored to their full compliment their forwards were applying significant pressure to New Milton's defence and the referee awarded a penalty try when a New Milton player was adjudged to prevent a nailed on try and was duly sent to the sin bin for ten minutes.

Ellingham started to apply further pressure with some good interchanges of play between the forwards and backs it allowed Hugo 'The Bosh' Leigh-Watts to power his way over the line for his second try of the game in a Man of the Match display, the conversion was not successful, but this did not deter Ellingham from continuing to score more points. Dan Stewart playing on the wing went from provider to try scorer with a strong run through the New Milton defence to score a well worked try in the 27th minute which secured the try bonus point for the visitors. This was somewhat surprisingly to be the last score of the first half as both side would not trouble the score board despite their efforts so at half time the score was New Milton 0 - Ellingham & Ringwood 22.

New Milton came out in the second half determined to make a better fist of the game and were duly rewarded in the 46th minute with a converted try, this appeared to spur on the away team and following some good build up work Adam 'Higgo' Higgins powered his way over the line to extend the visitors lead and Tom Veneroso was able to convert for the additional two points. New Milton were making life difficult for their rivals, but in the 62nd minute Hugo got his second try of the game and again Tom Veneroso was able to convert to extend their lead. Then in the 65th minute ex-Ellingham player Nick Mcqueen muscled his way over to score the home teams second try of the game which they were able to convert. Then in the 68th minute returning player Dan Jackson scored against his old team to balance things out on ex-players scoring, New Milton were applying the pressure and looking to get something out of the game and in the 72nd minute they managed to get their third try of the game which they were able to convert. With Ellingham reduced once again to 14 players following second row George Randall receiving a yellow card it provided the home team with the platform to endeavour to obtain a try bonus point, which they duly achieved in the 77th minute to make the final score New Milton 26 - Ellingham & Ringwood 41.

This maintained Ellingham's third place slot in league, and despite the home teams valiant efforts in at times an attritional game they remained rooted to the bottom of the league. Following back to back matches over the past 5 weeks Ellingham & Ringwood have well needed break before their next league game on the 15th February against Bournemouth at home.

Cheers
Swede