Ellingham & Ringwood Rugby Club U13s cap first season with Hampshire Bowl win

ELLINGHAM & Ringwood Rugby Club’s U13s capped their move from mini rugby to junior rugby with victory over Andover RFC in the Hampshire Bowl.

As well as playing friendlies against familiar clubs, the team played other teams for the first time in their cup run. Travelling to the Overton, Portsmouth, Gosport & Fareham, Bognor and Andover rugby clubs added to the cup experience – especially with the strong and vocal travelling support.

Ellingham & Ringwood’s U13s lifted the Hampshire Bowl in a hard-fought game at Andover RFC, but the game could have gone either way. However, E&R kept their heads to take the title after winning an entertaining and competitive match, played in the right spirit and enjoyed by coaches, parents and spectators from both sides.

The team then followed their superb season with an enjoyable tour. Firstly, they travelled to London Irish’s Hazelwood training venue for an academy-style training session from Exiles’ Academy coach Johnny O’Hehir.

On Sunday morning, it was back to Hazelwood for games against the London Irish and Ashbourne U13s, who were over from Ireland for the weekend.

Finally, the squad enjoyed a trip to watch the Gallagher Premiership game between London Irish and Wasps.