Ellingham & Ringwood returned to their home ground for the their third league fixture of the season against Millbrook from Southampton on a bright , but blustery afternoon. Before the kick off the club hosted a sponsors lunch to say thank you to those local companies that provide invaluable support throughout the season to ensure the rugby club is part of the local community, the club also welcomed two guests from Millbrook Chris and Jackie who enjoyed a fine beef dumpling stew cooked by Simon and Jude from the Fish which went down very well.

Ellingham started the game strongly playing away from the clubhouse in the first half they piled on the pressure early on in the game, the home team kept driving for the line and Millbrook kept infringing this over tested the referees patience and he awarded a penalty try to Ellingham. This was to open a first half of Ellingham dominance where they would score 34 unanswered points, winger Chris Jeffes got the second try of the game following some surging drives from his forwards to increase the lead, it was not going to be a place kickers day with Chris Pablo Frost the other Ellingham winger having to contest with the aforementioned blustery conditions with him sadly not being able to make his conversion count.

Ellingham continued to play fast flowing rugby and Zach Morrish added to Millbrooks pain with another well worked try, Pat Fraser who was playing at prop for this game was not going to let the backs have it all their own way and he muscled over for the next try of the game. Then fellow forward flanker Corbin Hill finished off a fine passage of play through the middle of the park to score the next try of the game. Ellingham's front five consistently had the upper hand in the scrum providing their backs with a great platform to work from and full back Zach Morrish got his consecutive brace of tries in as many matches with Frost able to convert to make the half time score Ellingham & Ringwood 34 - Millbrook - 0, just before the half time whistle was blown flanker Ted Johnson got a yellow card for being off-side as Millbrook tried to get a score on the board.

Despite being down to 14 men at the start of the second half Ellingham continued their free flowing rugby, Chris Jeffes was to get a further two tries to complete his hat trick the pick of the bunch to the delight of the home crowd was beautifully placed cross field kick from fly half Tommy Veneroso to the opposite wing inside the twenty-two for Jeffes to pluck it out of the air to score at the SPECSAVERS END, Frost was able to add the further two points. Chris Pablo Frost playing on the left wing was to get Ellingham's tenth and final try of the game powering his way through a couple of tackles to score in front of the home crowd. Millbrook battled hard throughout the game and were rewarded for their efforts half way through the second half with their backs linking up well to score a well-worked try in the far right hand corner of the pitch. As mentioned the forwards strength and dominance allowed Ellingham backs the platform to produce the free flowing rugby to spread the ball wide and score the tries and prop Adam Payne was awarded man of the match for his efforts as part of that front five.

The final score was Ellingham & Ringwood 58 - Millbrook - 5 moving the mighty E's into fourth place in Counties 1 Hampshire League. Next week there will be another pre-match lunch as Ellingham are at home again hosting Pulborough.

Finally I would like to thank all those who either purchased a raffle ticket or kindly donated to raise money for one of the Chairman's charities of the season the Bring Sam Home which is such a worthwhile cause.

Regards
Chairman Swede