Ellingham & Ringwood got the season underway with a fantastic 10s touch tournament at PBL on Saturday. It had been touch & go all week whether we would be able to hold such an event but with the full backing of the RFU and HantsRefs we went ahead. Ellingham entered two teams whilst Tottonians and Southampton provided the opposition with four teams between them. All the clubs balanced their teams and we saw a wonderful mix of 1st XV players, women, young colts and true veterans play the sport together. Hampshire provided 3 referees and thanks to them for their constructive and good humoured approach to the event. They managed to officiate 30 x 10 minute games between them proving their lockdown fitness regime was successful. Every single game was competitive and a close encounter.

I would like to give special thanks to John and Sandy Mandeville who gave up so much of their time to ensure all the visitors were properly recorded and marshalled through the COVID-19 requirements. Also thanks to Ian Marshall who spent the day behind the bar providing refreshments on what proved to be a late summers day.

Lastly, on behalf of the players, I would like to thank Nick Wilson and Tony Farmer for producing two immaculate pitches for us to enjoy.