Ellingham & Ringwood 1st XV 21 - New Milton 1st XV 26

Our 1st XV lost to local rivals, New Milton by the narrowest of margins on Saturday. The game was well contested by both sides and the action was end to end throughout. The visitors scored first, dotting down in the corner form a rolling maul. This try proved, in the end, to be the only thing separating the two teams. The Es scored two tries. Ben Warren muscled over for one and Charlie Cockram sold a dummy to the NM midfield to walk in unopposed under the posts. Matt Raybould added a conversion and three penalty goals from his boot. New Milton replied with two further tries, a conversion and two penalties to lead 23-21. Ellingham tried to play out of their 22 to get the winning score but conceded a penalty and New Milton were able to take three points just before the final whistle.