Ellingham & Ringwood claim first win after nail-biting finish

Hampshire Premier: Ellingham & Ringwood 28-20 Farnborough

ELLINGHAM & Ringwood claimed their first win of the season in the Hampshire Premier with a tense 28-20 victory over bottom-of-the-table Farnborough.

The home side made a positive start, attacking Farnborough from the kick-off, and spent the first 10 minutes camped in the visitors’ 22. Unfortunately, the hosts were not able to turn pressure into points, and Farnborough eventually escaped their half.

The visitors delivered the first blow and scored a converted try near the posts, and then kicked a penalty to take a 10-0 lead. The home team did not panic and pressed forward.

Their high-tempo style created problems for Farnborough, and Ringwood drew level before half time, with Will Maw and Henry Benson going over for unconverted tries.

Ellingham continued to play fast in the second half with thrilling but error-prone rugby. The pace of the game, however, suited the home side and Chris Frost finished a great team try by touching down in the corner in front of the clubhouse.

Farnborough struck back and scored a try out on the wing, and the visitors’ kicker then nudged his team in front with an excellent conversion. Chris Frost kicked a penalty to put Ellingham ahead again 18-17, but Farnborough’s kicker responded with another three points from the boot.

The hosts stuck to their plan and continued to play their expansive style. The home team bundled over for two more tries, to the delight of the Ringwood fans, in the left-hand corner from Louis Harling and Charlie Cockram.

Farnborough fought back, and Ellingham had to endure a relentless period of attack over the final five minutes, but the home team’s defence was solid, and they kept the visitors out to claim their first win of the season.