ELLINGHAM & Ringwood’s trip to the Isle of Wight ended in agony

after losing a topsy-turvy bonanza 45-44.

Things were going according to plan for Es when a try was scored from centre Callum Butler that was converted by their scrum half Josh Butcher.

They then lost their fly half Archer Cockayne with an ankle injury and had to re-adjust. Their number eight Stuart Pearce moved to the centre and soon scored a try, which was followed by tries from their captain Garrett Avis, who was playing out of position at full back and flank forward Andrew Lorton. Butcher added a further two conversions to give Ellingham a 26-18 lead at the break.

The high-scoring continued in the second half with further tries from prop forward Oli Wentworth and centre Butler. Butcher added a conversion and two further penalties to lead 44-38 going into the last five minutes. The visitors defended ferociously, but ill-discipline led to them conceding a series of penalties and Isle of Wight centre scored under the posts with the last play of the game. The conversion won the game for the home side and Ellingham had to be content with two losing bonus points.

THE thirds were also involved in a free-scoring match, drawing 34 apiece with Swanage and Wareham at Raymond Brown Memorial Ground.

The visitors took an early lead with an unconverted try, but Ellingham replied with Mike Moody scoring in the corner.

Josh Rowntree then chased down a long kick through to touchdown.

The visitors hit back with two tries, one of which was converted, but Ellingham scored another try when Jack Norris went over to make it 15-17 to Swanage & Wareham at half time.

Swanage extended their lead early in the second half with another converted try, but George Guy and Jonny Joiner then went over for Ellingham with scrum half Aaron Barker converting both. Swanage hit back with two more tries, but with the last play of the game Ellingham took a quick penalty and Ben Wolfenden went over to level the scores.

The conversion went wide to leave the final score 34-34.