Ellingham & Ringwood 1st XV travelled to Winchester to play their 2nd XV looking to bounce back after the disappointment of the previous weekend's defeat at home in the opening league fixture of the season. The chairman, his wife Mary and Tom Sampson the new 1st Team Manager enjoyed a fine buffet lunch prior to the game that was laid on by our hosts.

In good conditions Ellingham started the brighter of the two sides and the early pressure told when Winchester gave away a penalty that gave Zach Morrish playing at full back for the visitors slotted over to give Ellingham a three point advantage. Winchester responded strongly with a well worked try just minutes later, sadly their scrum half Nathan Wheeler could not add the two points from the conversion. Ellingham fought back and after some sustained pressure and some divine interchanges down the right flank Chris Jeffes playing on the wing off loaded to Zach Morrish who duly accelerated away to score Ellingham's first try of the game and he added the two points to restore Ellingham's lead.

It was becoming the Zach Morrish show with the visitors again targeting the right flank Zach was sent away giving the Winchester defence a clean pair of heals to score under the posts to give himself an easy kick for goal which he duly slotted over. With half time approaching Ellingham appeared to be in control despite Winchester attacking the defensive line was strong, the home team kicked through flanker Ted Johnson ran towards the ball and tried to kick the ball over the dead ball line. Unfortunately, his kick was not strong enough and one of the Winchester players outsprinted Ted to score the home teams second try of the game and Wheeler was able to convert his kick to make the half time score Winchester 12 - Ellingham & Ringwood 17.

Ellingham started the second half strongly with prop Will Maw going over to extend Ellingham's lead and Zach Morrish was able to add the extra two points with a good kick. Then winger Chris Jeffes scored another try to give Ellingham a try bonus point and increase their lead, Zach Morrish had a 100% record with his boot on the day by converting his kick. Ellingham did not trouble the scoreboard again in the second half, Winchester strove to get back into the game and their efforts were rewarded when their winger Ethan Hallden scored a well worked try and their scrum half Nathan Wheeler added the two points. Despite their efforts to score a losing try bonus point sadly for Winchester they did not add to their tally of three.

The final score was Winchester 19 - Ellingham & Ringwood 31, Man of the Match for Ellingham was awarded to number eight Josh Adjiboye who had a fine game with his destructive runs through the middle of the park which led to tries being scored for the away team. This victory will give the team the much needed confidence booster to the season.

Cheers,
Swede