Ellingham & Ringwood 1st XV travelled to the side just above them in the league Reeds Weybridge established in 1931 and with an ex Ellingham player to welcome us one Lewys John the Welsh Wizard and previous recipient of the famous Swede Award.

The visitors had to take a depleted squad of only 16 players to the game due to injuries and lack of availability for some, our one replacement Ted Johnson was getting over man-flu so not at his best. Despite this Ellingham were up for the challenge and show that they can compete at this level despite the odds being against them. Reeds were the first to open the scoring with their left winger Penaia Rokocaba darting through a large gap in Ellingham's defence to get the first try of the game in the 5th minute. The two sides then battled it out testing each other's defence for the next 13 minutes until a break away down the left flank with some great interchanges from the backs Chris Frost passed the ball out to Zach Morrish his fellow winger for him to score his first try for the 1st XV to level the scores.

Reeds Weybridge fought back with two tries the first one through their flanker Charles Collyer and then his fellow back rower Joseph Menassa playing at number 8 who put in a man of the match performance with their fly half Ben Sherry landing both conversions. With the home team players speaking about getting a try bonus point before half time Ellingham sprang into action with fly half Lewis Reeves cutting through the home defence from deep to score a second try for Ellingham, which Chris Pablo Frost was able to convert to reduce the deficit in the 35th minute. Not resting on their laurels scrum half Ollie Doble who was awarded player of the match, after some good supportive work in the middle of the park was sprinting towards the corner when taken out illegally as ajudged by the referee who awarded a penalty try. Ellingham were in the driving seat now and on the cusp of the half time whistle being blown the backs again linked together well after being given a solid platform by their forwards and Ollie Doble was in on the act again this time getting over the white try line and Frost was able to convert to make the half time score Reeds Weybridge 19 - Ellingham & Ringwood 26 and the visitors gaining the try bonus point that the home team were aiming for.

Ellingham started the second half as they had finished the first playing directly through the backs following good drives from their forwards, this time it was Adam 'Higgo" Higgins who barged his way to the line to score under the posts to allow Frost an easy slot at goal to increase the visitors lead. The home team fought back and scored two tries in the 52nd and then 59th minute one of them to Ellingham's old boy full back Lewys John both of which were converted to retain the lead. Despite losing flanker Matt Coombs to a shoulder injury Ellingham continued to fight back and in the 65th minute hooker Pat Fraser crossed the try line, but Frost was unable to convert the conversion meaning the scores were level at 38 points each.

The following 15 minutes of play was hotly contested by both sides looking for that final score to seal the victory, the home team were not assisted by their prop getting sin binned for coming in at the side of the ruck. Miraculously the visitors did not receive a yellow card against them which is a first for the season, but despite their numerical advantage they could not break down the home team's defence. With Reeds Weybridge back to full strength they made one last concerted effort to try and secure a win. They drove down the left flank Ellingham conceded a penalty the ball was moved quickly and despite Ellingham's valiant defensive efforts they could not hold onto the draw and a try was scored in the far corner as the clocked turned to 80 minutes and the game was up. The final score was Reeds Weybridge 43 - Ellingham & Ringwood 38.

Despite this the effort from the team was monumental and they did not leave empty handed as they obtained two bonus losing points to give them 3 points in total and to look forward to next weeks home game against Petersfield. Before the long minibus journey home we shared a meal, a beer and informed Lewys John's new team mates of how he won the Swede Award, but this cannot be printed!