BRAGGING rights on Forest derby day went to Fordingbridge who defeated Ellingham and Ringwood 21-16 in Snows Hampshire One.

In a closely-fought contest at the Raymond Brown. Ellingham started well with their scrum half Josh Butcher kicking three first half penalties. Fordingbridge replied with two penalties from Mat Norton.

Fordingbridge scored further tries from Rob Hay and Alex Tattersall to lead 21-9. But Ellingham fly-half Archer Cockayne responded with a superb try, which Butcher converted, to close the gap to 21-16.

’Bridge’s Steve Brown said: “Our determination and grit has seen us win a tough game away from home with all 18 performing superbly.”

Fordingbridge seconds suffered a heavy loss away to Weymouth by 43-8.

Ellingham & Ringwood’s seconds completed an impressive victory over Puddletown’s 1st XV in Dorset Division 2 at the Raymond Brown Memorial Ground on Saturday.

The Ellingham wing three quarter Mike Moody opened the scoring with a well-taken try and their captain Aaron Barker added a penalty. Puddletown kicked two penalties, so the home side were leading at the break.

Centre Ollie Harvey crossed for a try and Barker added the conversion to make the final score 15-6.

Ellingham & Ringwood’s women’s side progressed to the second round of the RFU Junior Plate with an impressive victory over Medway at the Raymond Brown on Sunday.

Ellingham took the lead midway through the first half with a good try from fly half Charlotte Benson. Medway equalised, but with the last play of the half Ellingham’s scrum half Paige Darvill-White scored a try that full back Chloe Barrett converted to give them a 12-5 lead.

Medway came back strongly early in the second half with two tries and a conversion to take 17-12 lead. Wing three quarter Nina Hoadley scored a try that Chloe Barrett converted to regain the lead, before scrum half Paige Darvill-White scored her second try to open up a 24-17 lead. But Medway’s late try closed the gap to 24-22. Fortunately for the home side, the conversion was missed and they were able to close out the game to go into the draw for the next round.