IT was a close encounter at New Milton as Fordingbridge went down 29-22 in Snows Hampshire One.

The game started well for the visitors when, straight from the kick-off and following pressure on the Millie’s 22-line, a clearance kick was charged down and Fordingbridge’s star man, Alex Davenport, touched down. Mat Norton converted.

Within five minutes, New Milton scored and with the extras added the scores were level. Ten minutes later, New Milton stretched their lead with a try but with the conversion missed the lead was a narrow one.

Norton slotted a long-range penalty to reduce the gap further to two and, just before the break, Fordingbridge’s captain Steve Brown gave the visitors the lead with an unconverted try. So, at half-time, there was all to play for with Fordingbridge 15-12 up.

As the second half got under way, New Milton stuck to their game plan, playing from the base of the rucks and mauls very successfully and scored two tries, one of which they converted to take their lead to 24 -15. The game seemed to be drifting away from the visitors.

However, Norton scored in the corner at the start of the fourth quarter and in converting his try took Fordingbridge to within two of New Milton and the game was still there to be taken.

Following a period of pressure on the Fordingbridge line in the last minute of the game, a defensive line out on the five-metre line did not find its target but was grabbed by a New Milton player to touch down. And with the missed conversion being the last kick of the match, they secured the win.

Steve Brown said: “It was a game that could have gone either way, but to come away from New Milton with a losing bonus point was no mean feat.”

Fordingbridge firsts go on holiday next week when they travel to the Isle of Wight.

Elsewhere, Fordingbridge seconds had a successful afternoon, beating Oakmeadians seconds 63-0.