Three in a row for dominant New Milton RFC
Hampshire Premier: New Milton RFC 37-17 Eastleigh II
NEW Milton RFC made it three wins on the bounce with a 37-17 victory over Eastleigh II at Ashley Recreation Ground.
Milton were quickly on the scoreboard – from a scrum in the Eastleigh 22 the ball was passed along the backs to Tom Gould who backed himself and ran past the defence to score in the corner.
The hosts went back for more, and from a five-metre scrum Josh Lines delicately kicked the ball ahead which was collected by Nathan Smith who touched down in the corner for a converted score.
Milton kept up the pressure. A penalty gave them a five-metre line-out, and the forwards pushed for the line. Tom Wood got the try, and this was quickly followed by Milton being awarded a penalty which Adam Lavis converted.
Eastleigh then showed their attacking force as their backs ran in a well-worked try, and just before the interval, a penalty gave them possession in the Milton 22 which the forwards worked well to push on to score a converted try.
After initial attacks by both teams into opposing 22-metre lines, New Milton gained a five-metre scrum in which they pushed the bulkier Eastleigh pack back towards their line. Adam Coe took the ball and slid under the defence to score.
The try kickstarted the hosts again as a penalty was taken quickly by Adam Lavis who kicked it over the defence towards the touchline where Gould was able to collect and run in to touch down for his brace.
New Milton were under pressure but the forwards, under the management of man-of-the-match scrum-half John O’Regan, gained possession through the backs and ran the ball into the Eastleigh 22.
Ben Steers was heading for the line but handed off to Connor Coombs who scored a well-worked team try, Lavis added the extras.
Eastleigh then scored another try, and they doubled their efforts to gain a league point through a fourth try, but the Milton defence worked hard to prevent any further scores against.
New Milton: D. Smith, A. George, L. Booker, J. Corbett, B. Steers, T. Hynd, M. Santa-Maria, T. Wood, J. O’Regan, A. Lavis, J. Lines, N. Smith, T. Gould, J. Payne, C. Coombs, A. Coe, L. Royley.
