ELLINGHAM & Ringwood put in a determined performance to earn a 26-15

win at Farnborough on Saturday to remain third in Hampshire Division 1 – with a game in hand.

The New Forest side had built up a 16-3 lead by half time with tries from lock forward Stuart Pearce and wing three quarter Chris Frost. Scrum half Josh Butcher also kicked two penalty goals.

Ellingham then took injuries to their fly half Charlie Cockram and centre Chris Gillespie. Josh Butcher kicked another penalty, but Farnborough clawed their way back and with five minutes left were trailing 15-19. Late in the game Stuart Pearce scored his second try and Butcher added the conversion to make the final score 15-26.

Ellingham & Ringwood Women crashed out of the National Cup following an 8-5 defeat to Reading Abbey in the first round.

Ellingham started well and led 5-0 at the break as a result of a try from their scrum half Paige Darvill-White, pictured.

Reading Abbey, who are top of the league above Ellingham, came back strongly in the second half.

The home side’s defence held firm for half an hour, but Reading eventually scored a good try in the corner. In the dying embers they kicked a penalty to book their place in the next round.

Elsewhere, Ellingham & Ringwood’s Seconds put in a brave performance against North Dorset on Saturday, but lost 27-3.

Ellingham started well with a penalty goal from their captain and scrum half Aaron Barker, but North Dorset led 12-3 at the break. Injuries to Rory Dickinson and Ollie Wentworth weakened Ellingham and North Dorset were able to dominate.

The thirds also went down, losing 26-13 to Poole. They were winning 13-7 at half time as a result of a try from centre Adam Fityan and a conversion and two penalty goals from scrum half Lee Swyer.

Poole came back in the second half and secured a bonus point win.