Fordingbridge Rugby Club

Fittingly Fordingbridge chose the day of the first-ever O’Connell memorial challenge match to produce their best Rugby of the season and win the Hampshire Bowl semi-final 25-5 against Ellingham & Ringwood last weekend.
Founder captain and former President, Tony O’Connell, who died two years ago, would have been very proud of his team’s surprisingly comprehensive victory over their arch rivals, and Fordingbridge now travel to the Isle of Wight to meet the team lying second in London 3 South West, Sandown & Shanklin, in the final on April 21.
Fordingbridge, a league below in Snows Hampshire One, were expecting tougher opposition from a team fifth in London 3 SW, but they got off to a cracking start when swift inter play among the backs ended with Paddy Flood scoring a try after only five minutes.
The Fordingbridge pack were without one of their star forwards, the injured hooker James Greenwood, but Welsh replacement Mike Parry – perhaps inspired by the stirring deeds of his countrymen in Cardiff – was equal to the task and the Es were never allowed to dominate up front.
With half-backs Adam Glenn and Steve Brown pulling the strings, the Es were constantly stretched by the fast-running Fordingbridge backs and left wing Dan Brown went over twice before half-time to become the club’s top try scorer with 21 so far this season.
Mat Norton, who had failed to convert the first three tries, made no mistake with a straightforward penalty, and after 50 minutes Fordingbridge led 18-nil.The Es rung the changes and exerted constant pressure in the second half but the Bridge defence stood firm before full back Tim Brittan broke away to score a fourth try this time converted by Norton.
It was not until the last two minutes that the Es finally got on the scoreboard when Charles Cockram burst through to score a consolation try.
It is back to League action this Saturday with Fordingbridge seeking to consolidate their second place in Hampshire One at home to New Milton, while the leaders, Eastleigh, face a crunch match at U.S. Portsmouth. Ellingham & Ringwood entertain KCS Old Boys in London 3SW.
Meanwhile the O’Connell Memorial Challenge match also resulted in a win for Fordingbridge over Ellingham & Ringwood by 22-12 with many “golden oldies” taking part on both sides including five Fordingbridge founder members John Mouland, now club President, Steve Godden, Mike Noke, Doug Park and George Pollard.
It was a memorable day for the ‘Bridge with other events including an Auction of Promises, a Pains Fireworks display and the Robbie Wallace band throughout the evening. Around £6000 was raised for Tony O’Connell’s charity, the British Heart Foundation, and the Epilepsy Society in memory of Tony’s daughter, Amy, who died a year ago.
Now comes the second part of the O’Connell Challenge with Tony’s son, Paul, and two other Vice-Presidents, Chris Langford and Nigel Lunt, planning to cycle from Land’s End to John O’Groats, a distance of 960 miles in eight days from May 13-20. Readers can help boost the funds by donating on the “Just giving” sites as follows:
www.justgiving.com/OCC2012BHF and www.justgiving.com/OCC2012ES