ELLINGHAM and Ringwood lost their 100 per cent record in Hampshire Division One last Saturday, when they went down 30-21 away at Alton.

The game started tightly and Alton took the lead with a penalty goal, but Ellingham’s centre Josh Butcher levelled the scores with another penalty kick.

Alton then scored a converted try from a number 8 pick up at a 5 metre scrum, but Josh Butcher kicked a further penalty to reduce the deficit to 10-6.

Alton extended their lead with two tries, one from a catch and drive at a line out and the other from a good backs move to open up a 20-6 lead at the break.

Ellingham came back strongly with two tries from left wing Dean Young and another from right wing Chris Frost to give them a 21-20 lead with ten minutes to go.

Alton regained the lead with a penalty goal so Ellingham pressed hard for a further try that would have given them an important away bonus point win, but a breakaway Alton try and conversion gave them the bonus point win and Ellingham returned home empty handed.

The 2nd XV continued their good start to the season in Dorset & Wiltshire Division Two, with a convincing 86-7 victory over Wimborne’s thirds XV.

Both Ellingham’s scrum half Lee Swyer and wing three quarter Brad Evans scored hat tricks with the other tries coming from Tim Linford (2), Jonny Owen (2), Aaron Barker, Matt Karelus Darren Kendall and Adam Payne.Fly half Aaron Barker also kicked eight conversions.

The thirds put in a tremendous performance against a very strong Dorchester thirds in Dorset and Wiltshire Division Three, but had to be content with a solitary try bonus point, as they lost 38-22.

Dorchester flew out of the blocks and took a 21-0 lead in the first 20 minutes with three converted tries.

Ellingham fought back strongly and by half time had reduced the deficit to 21-10 with two tries out wide from wing three quarter Luke Ansell and full back Nick Doulton.

Ellingham dominated the first period of the second half. Dorchester were on the ropes and constantly tried to slow play down, which resulted in them conceding a penalty try and having a player sent to the sin bin.

Luke Ansell scored a second try to give Ellingham a 22-21 lead, but Dorchester came back strongly with three tries and a conversion to record a well deserved away bonus point win.