LOCAL bragging rights went to Fordingbridge after they defeated neighbours and fierce rivals Ellingham & Ringwood for the second time this season.

Bridge won the earlier Snows Group Hampshire 1 encounter 21-16 and followed that up with a 39-13 success on home turf at the weekend.

Bridge kicker Mat Norton put his side 6-0 up with a couple of early penalties and they went 13-0 ahead when top try scorer Dan Brown crossed the line. A Norton drop goal kept the scoreboard ticking over in the home side’s favour at half time.

Ellingham, with the wind behind them in the second period, slotted home a penalty through Josh Butcher but that was cancelled out by one from Fordingbridge – kicked by Mark Hammond while Norton spent ten minutes on the sidelines for a yellow card offence.

With their tails up Ellingham & Ringwood entered a purple patch and added ten points to their score – a try from ex-Bridge player Callum Butler and five points from Butcher.

Back to a full 15, and with finishers Keith Walsh and Peter Scott on the pitch, Fordingbridge began to regain control. Two great tries from ’Bridge’s man of the match Archie Gavin, both converted, and two further penalties from Norton sealed the victory.

Captain Steve Brown said: “It was not the prettiest of games but a hard-fought encounter by both sides and a great double win in the traditional derby against our neighbours and friends at Ringwood.”

Fordingbridge’s seconds also found the winning formula, running out 15-12 winners over Dinton.

A try, conversion and penalty from Josh Goodchild and another try from Reman Gurung sealed the win.

Ellingham thirds lost 26-14 to Poole in Dorset Division 3.

Poole’s strong pack started well and built up a 14-0 lead after 30 minutes.

Will Searle took an interception and scored under the posts. Then, scrum half Aaron Barker converted to make it 14-7 at the break.

Searle finished a good move with another try under the posts and Barker’s conversion levelled the scores. The game could have gone either way at this point, but it was Poole who scored another converted try.