It is fair to say that Ellingham and Ringwood's season in London & SE Division Regional 2 South the highest level the men's team have played has been a challenge to say the least due to the physical demands playing at this level has placed upon the squad and we finished our season off by welcoming Havant 2nd Team who gained promotion with us last year. So could Ellingham round off a tough season knowing they were already relegated back to Hampshire Division 1 next season or would Havant prove too tough a task for the home team who have not beaten their opponents in a league fixture.

With the sun shining down on the Raymond Brown Memorial Ground the home team played towards the SPECSAVERS End with a strong wind behind them they got of to a blistering start within the first two minutes with the forwards linking well with the backs, winger Chris 'Pablo' Frost was able to evade tackles and nipped in the corner to score his first try of the game. Unfortunately he was not able to convert his kick in tricky conditions with the blustery wind. Frosty was on fire in the first of the game in the 13th minute he was able to cross over for another try and this time able to convert his kick to give Ellingham an impressive 12 point lead. Havant fought back following some sustained pressure in the home team's twenty two the forwards drove on and then the ball was quickly worked out to their winger Max Hewett who dived into the corner to earn his team's first points of the game.

Pablo Frost then got his hat trick of tries in the 23rd minute following powerful runs from the forwards notably Josh Ajiboye and George Randall allowing Frosty the space to dive over the line and then regaining his composure slotted over the conversion. Havant fought back and just two minutes later they got their second try of the game when centre James Booth cut a good line to score his first try of the game and Dillon Worsley playing at fly half was able to convert his kick to narrow the gap. Then three minutes later Hewett was back on the score sheet with a strong run down the left flank to score his second try of the game, thankfully for Ellingham the wind was in their favour and Worsley couldn't convert his kick. Therefore, for only the second time this season Ellingham went in at half time 19 points - 17 in their favour.

Ellingham repeated their strong start to the game by matching it within the first two minutes of the second half with Connor Scott, who had a fine game, bulldozing his way over the line much to the delight of Scott himself and his team mates, but to the disbelief to the away team. Frosty was able convert his kick to extend Ellingham's lead. Five minutes later Ellingham were to extend their lead further with scrum half Zach Morrish linking up well on the right wing with an interchange of passes he avoidedd some tackles with his darting, mazey run (possibly learnt from injured skipper and regular scrum half Sammy Veneroso) to dive over in the corner to score Ellingham's fifth try of the game.

This spurred Havant back into action and Booth who had caused the home defence problems all game scored his second try after a powerful run through the heart of Ellingham's defence; Worsley was able to slot his kick over to narrow the gap. Despite this set back Ellingham poured forward again to try and take the game away from Havant after sustained pressure from the forwards the referee awarded the home team a penalty in front of the posts in the 62nd minute. To give the forwards a breather, Frost converted the kick to what was to prove to be the defining difference between the sides on 80 minutes. Booth then got his hat trick of tires in the 74th minute with his team mate Worsley kicking the conversion to narrow the gap to those aforementioned defining three points which Ellingham had six minutes to defend.

Havant came at the home team hard and won a scrum on the five-metre line, what happened next defined for me how despite the odds stacked against Ellingham & Ringwood this season they have always fought hard and to the end. With the heavier pack this was Havant's opportunity to possibly drive the tiring Ellingham pack back placing them under pressure, but the opposite happened the forwards dug deep and drove back Havant and were justifiably awarded a penalty for their desire and strength at a time of adversity.

Ellingham were able to hang on to their narrow lead and the game finished Ellingham & Ringwood 34 - Havant 2nd XV - 31, to give the home team their first and only victory of the season. As their first team manager this was to be my last game as I need to concentrate on being Chairman of the club, I have undertaken the role of manager for several years and seen the club achieve heights I have never thought they could reach when I was playing and at that stage languishing in Hampshire Division 3. To say I am proud of this clubs achievements is an understatement, so for me personally it seemed fitting to end on a win and to look forward to leading the club towards another 60 years of existence when we celebrate our Diamond Anniversary next season.

Cheers
Swede