ELLINGHAM and Ringwood exited the Hampshire Bowl after a 28-20 defeat at Farnborough.

Due to the game being re-arranged to accommodate a national cup game and a number of injuries, Ellingham were short of some influential first-teamers.

Farnborough started well scoring two early converted tries and as many first half penalties, but the inexperienced Ellingham side stuck to their task. They were rewarded with a try from flank forward Jack White which was converted by scrum half Josh Butcher to leave them trailing 20-7 at the break.

In the second half, Ellingham clawed their way back into the game.

White scored a second try and Butcher added the conversion and two penalty kicks. Farnborough scored a further try and conversion, but Ellingham kept fighting to the final whistle. Despite this, the more experienced Farnborough side were able to close out a 28-20 victory and progress to the next round.

Es coach Alan Steel said: “This was a very disappointing result, as this was a game we really should have won.

"We knocked them out of this cup last season and earlier in the season comfortably won a league game 26-15 at their ground, but on Saturday they deserved their win."

Es are back in Snows Hampshire One action on Saturday when they host Sandown and Shanklin, who are one place below them in the table.

Steel added: “We’re now out of both cups, so it’s important for us to focus on our league campaign and we’re looking forward to playing Sandown & Shanklin at home on Saturday."

Rivals Fordingbridge look to boost their promotion bid when they go to Fareham Heathens.