ELLINGHAM and Ringwood suffered a narrow 27-21 defeat to leaders New Milton in Snows Hampshire One.
Hosts New Milton started well in their local derby and built up a 17-3 lead at the break, with Ellingham’s only points coming from a penalty kick by scrum half Josh Butcher.
Ellingham started the second half more strongly and their full back Dominic Pitt scored two tries, with a third coming from flank forward Jack White. Butcher added a further penalty to leave them trailing by just six points. Ellingham threw everything at New Milton in the last five minutes and could have stolen what looked like an unlikely victory at half time, but the New Milton defence held firm.
Es had to be content with a losing bonus point.
Ellingham, placed in fourth, now have a two-week break for Christmas before returning on Saturday, January 7 (2pm) away to Fareham Heathens.
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