ERRFC U18’S GIRLS WIN THE WORTHING 10’s
The Ellingham & Ringwood Under 18’s Girl’s overcame strong opposition from across the south of England – and some dreadful weather – to win the Worthing 10’s on Bank Holiday Sunday.
The New Forest side started the day with a tough game against the host club Worthing, but they won by 10 points to nil with tries from Emma Lipsett and Jasmine Clarke. They then had a real scare against the Middlesex Leopards. They were winning comfortably by 10 points to nil at half time with tries from Gracie New and Charlotte Benson. The coach Steve Benson then used all of his replacements in the second half. The Middlesex side quickly scored a converted try to bring the score to 10-7 and only a determined defensive display secured the victory. In their final group game they comfortably beat the Thomas Becket School from Hertfordshire 45-0, to finish top of their group.
In the semi final, Ellingham faced an impressive Tavistock side from Devon, who had also won their group. The New Forest girls dominated the first half but could only manage one unconverted try from Jasmine Clarke, to lead 5-0 at half time. Early in the second half Tavistock scored to make the score 5-5 and soon afterwards Ellingham lost their influential wing Emma Lipsett with cramp. However, in the dying moments they secured their place in the final when Harriett Waller finished off a good handling move and converted her try from close to the touchline to make the final score 12-5.
Ironically, in the final, Ellingham & Ringwood met their local rivals Oakmeadians, from Bournemouth. At long last, the sun came out and the quick and skilful Ellingham & Ringwood backs put on a devastating display, in front of a large crowd, to win 41-0. In the final, tries were scored by Charlotte Benson, Jasmine Clarke, Poppy Cleall, Gracie New, Amy Symes and Harriett Waller.
The photographs show the Ellingham & Ringwood captain Charlotte Benson receiving the trophy and the side celebrating their success.
U10s Success in Nottingham Leads To Twickenham
The Ellingham and Ringwood Under 10s fought off strong opposition at the Nottingham Mini and Junior Rugby Festival over the Easter weekend to make it through to a national final. They will now travel to Twickenham on 29th May to play in the Bowl final, prior to the Guinness Premiership Final.
“This is an absolutely fantastic achievement and one which the whole squad thoroughly deserves. They showed real determination, passion and great skill on the rugby field and will now go on to play on the hallowed turf at Twickenham”, said David Batters, the Under 10s Team Manager.
This was the squad’s first experience of a national tournament, which saw them up against some of the biggest clubs in the country. But the team of 15 young rugby players (ages 9 & 10) was unfazed and did the Club proud.
Ellingham & Ringwood U7s
Bring Hampshire Crown back to the New Forest
Having won the New Milton Tournament earlier in the season ERRFC U7’s arrived at the annual Hampshire Tournament in confident mood, but knowing they would have to be at their best against the strength of competing clubs from all over Hampshire.
Ellingham started in good style with Marcus Bristow scoring a solo try direct from the start. Alton steadily worked the ball up field to score a try, but had no answer to Ellingham’s penetrative runners and Ellingham ran out comfortable winners at 5-3.
Ellingham next found them-selves playing local neighbours Fordingbridge and again ran out clear winners by 5 tries to 2, with Toby Samual and Max Nicklen finishing strong runs with excellent tries.
Having secured a place in the ¼ finals of the Cup competition, Ellingham rotated their squad against Winchester, resting players who had played in the first two matches. In a high scoring game Ellingham were beaten 6-4 although Olivia Horton scored two excellent tries for Ellingham.
On to the ¼ finals and Ellingham found themselves pitted against a strong Farnborough team. Again Ellingham started well scoring a try from the start through Toby Samual. Two excellent solo tries scored by Joseph Frullo put Ellingham in a commanding position and although Farnborough fought back bravely, Ellingham secured a clear 7-5 win, to book their place in the semi finals.
Ellingham’s semi final opponents were New Milton. Knowing they had to be on top of their game, Ellingham’s fast and elusive runners went to work scoring tries from all over the pitch. Although New Milton responded by trying to move the ball wide, Ellingham’s defence held firm and were rewarded with a well- earned 5-3 win to take their place in the Final.
Facing Gosport & Fareham in the final, Ellingham’s squad played some of their best rugby of the tournament, dominating their opponents, to go in 2 tries up unopposed at half time. After the interval Ellingham’s Toby Samual ran in 3 more tries and although Gosport & Fareham battled bravely, Ellingham ended up worthy winners 5 tries to 2, to secure the Hampshire Cup trophy.
Rusty U14s Lock out Fawley
Ellingham & Ringwood 27 Fawley 0
Another bright Sunday morning welcomed Fawley to Parsonage Barn Lane. For the first time this season Ellingham had a full squad of players for this league match. The home side signalling their intentions with aggressive running from both Tom P and Hugh on the left. Fawley tackled valiantly and cleared there lines, only for the Ellingham pack to drive from the halfway line to score a try to the left of the posts, Jamie eventually touching the ball down. 5-0.
The pack were now growing in confidence as they won numerous scrums against the head. Declan benefiting from the packs good work released George on the left wing who made 10 metres and was awarded a penalty as Fawley was caught offside. Ellingham spun the ball from left to right wing for Denholm to sprint to the Fawley 22 before he was hauled down, again Fawley scrambled to clear their lines. Fawley attempted to launch their own attacks, but these were halted by impressive tackling by Hugh and Denholm. Fawley were given a penalty which they attempted to kick to touch but were prevented from gaining the lineout by a brilliant catch by George on the left touchline who plucked the ball out of the air and set up another Ellingham attack. Ellingham again used the extra power they had in their pack to drive the ball over the Fawley try line but were prevented from touching the ball down by good defensive work by Fawley as they held the ball up. Again the pack drove forward, and were then awarded a penalty that Declan immediately took releasing Tom P to score in the left corner. 10-0 was the half time score.
The beginning of the second half saw Fawley attack Ellingham with renewed confidence, but as they attempted to move the ball along their backs Tom B picked off a pass and sprinted clear to score under the posts, which Declan converted. 17-0.
Fawley showed great spirit as they again launched an attack this time Mitchell with a crunching tackle turned the ball over, and again the pack drove forward as one by one they picked the ball up from the base of rucks eventually Luke gathered pace to link first with Gareth and then with Dan to score a brilliant try in the left corner. 22-0.
The forwards were now threatening to overun Fawley, but were prevented by the admirable spirit of a superb Fawley defence. Mitchell finished another brilliant move from Luke but the try was harshly disallowed as the referee did not feel he grounded the ball correctly. Every member of the pack were now carrying the ball forward Olly made significant ground supported by Hugh, and then Marcus pumping arms and legs drove 10 metres with three Fawley players attempting to bring him down. Fawley continued to prevent the score from building, until Adam came on for Tom B and received his first pass, ghosted past two defenders to sprint clear for a brilliant individual try. 27-0.
Fawley finished the game pinning Ellingham to their own try line as they launched attack after attack. Final score 27-0.
Effervescent Ellingham U14s Sparkle
Andover 0 Ellingham & Ringwood 31
Another bright Sunday morning welcomed Ringwood to the Andover ground to play their 3rd league match of the season.
In the warm up the coaches had stressed the need for teamwork, and support. In one of the most complete performances, Ellingham & Ringwood imposed themselves from the first kick Gareth catching the ball on his own 5-metre line and returning it to the halfway line with a strong direct run. From an Andover line out Ellingham won the ball, and Declan released the backs, the ball eventually reaching Denholm who took the ball up to the Andover 5 metre line, Ellingham went through phase after phase, and from the base of a ruck Hugh picked the ball up to dive over for the opening try in the left corner, unconverted, as Declan struck the post with the conversion. 0-5.
Andover, awarded a scrum on their own 10 metre line, were forced backwards as our defensive line pressured the Andover centres, with Dan forcing the turnover, offloading the ball to Tom B running a clever angle at pace to score in the left corner, converted by Declan with a magnificent kick. 0-12.
Ellingham continued to take the game to the home side. Tom P collecting the high ball and running it back to the halfway line, then recycling for Marcus to carry forward, and Olly in support took the play up to the Andover 5 metre line. Andover cleared their lines, but were unable to launch any attacks as the Ellingham defence pressurized their backs, Hugh forcing another turnover. Ellingham, again driving forward Mitchell picked up from the base of a ruck, made 10 metres and recycled again for Declan to launch the backs, Lewis showing great invention chipped through to Denholm on the left wing, and but for an awkward bounce would have scored a scintillating try, Andover again clearing their lines with a massive kick down to the Ellingham 22 metre line. Gareth, then took a quick throw in, released Hugh, with Luke in support, offloaded to Olly, Marcus then picked up from the base of a ruck, and as he recycled the ball to the backs Andover scrambling defence was forced to carry the ball over their own try line, giving Ellingham a scrum on the 5 metre line. Dan was unlucky to have what appeared to be a good try disallowed as the referee was unsighted, but from the resulting Andover scrum Ellingham won the ball against the head, Declan released Tom B, Dan then straightened the line and moved the ball onto Lewis, who with quick hands released Denholm to score in the right corner for a truly wonderful team try that Declan incredibly converted from the touchline to make the score at halftime 0-19.
The second half began as the first finished with Ellingham driving the ball, through Mitchell, deep into the Andover half. Andover showed great resilience as they made some brilliant last-ditch tackles. The Ellingham pack was now exerting massive pressure on the opposition as they continued to attack as a collective unit. Andover were again forced to carry the ball over their own try line to provide Ellingham with another good attacking platform and from the resulting 5 metre scrum, Luke, accepting a pass from Dan, scored a try in the right corner, again converted by Declan 0-26.
Ellingham were now playing with lots of confidence, Marcus, Olly, and Lewis all combining to carry the ball into the Andover 22. Andover again halted the Ellingham attack with some good tackling, and attempted to launch their own backs, halted by another thumping tackle by Mitchell. Gareth returned a clearance kick to the Andover 22, and formed another attacking platform, Olly picked up, offloaded to Marcus who was dragged to the ground just short of the try line. Ellingham were awarded another scrum on the Andover 5 metre line enabling Declan to again release the backs, and Denholm, taking a pass from Lewis, scored in the right corner for the final score of the match, as the game ended 0-31.
Ringwood U14s Light Up Home of Rugby
The Ringwood under 14 boys who played in the Boscombe Beach Tag Tournament were invited to the finals of the O2 Scrum on the Beach at Twickenham.
This was an enthralling day for all the players as they met former rugby legend Austin Healey, who introduced all of the teams as they ran out of the tunnel onto the pitch, and then conducted the warm up, and joined up with the Ringwood boys to play in one of their matches. England winger Paul Sackey played some of the games and presented the prizes at the end of the day. Before the start of the competition the team proudly joined in singing the national anthem. All the teams were treated to a wonderful breakfast and buffet lunch in the hallowed Spirit of Rugby Room. The Ringwood boys also enjoyed a tour of the stadium including being allowed in the England changing room, for many photo opportunities. 
The tournament consisted of the 12 teams who had won the beach rugby events held all around the country. Teams were drawn in 3 groups with the winners of each, and the best second placed team going into the main Cup competition, the remaining teams were entered into either the Plate or Bowl competitions depending on their position in the first stage. All the teams then played a further three matches with the team winning the most games and scoring the highest amount of tries being the eventual winner of the respective competitions.
Ellingham & Ringwood won their opening and final matches of the initial group stages and therefore were entered into the Cup competition as the best second placed team. This meant they were drawn against the tournament’s top teams in the Cup, and although they lost their opening match of the second stage, regrouped and won their two remaining games, that meant they ended the final stage of the Cup equal on points with an Italian team, and a squad of 17 men from Maldon RFC. Ellingham & Ringwood were finally declared runners up to Maldon on tries scored, losing by only 2 tries.
Ringwood showed incredible team spirit enjoying the wonderful experience and every player went home with the happy knowledge that they had scored a try at the ‘Home of Rugby’.
Squad:
Charlie Rogers, Dan Evans, Declan Berry, Denholm Johnston, Hugh Galloway, Kristian Goodall, Lewis Harrison, Luke Reynolds, and Tom Baldwin.
Coach Sharon Evans.
WELWYN 15 – ERRFC 29
With six regular squad members missing, the Ellingham & Ringwood Under 18’s Girl’s side made the long two hour trip to Welwyn, in Hertfordshire on Sunday and won by 29 points to 15 to stay top of London & SE Division 1.
ERRFC benefited from some good quick ball from their forwards and their backs looked dangerous whenever they attacked. Jas Clarke, on the left wing, scored three first half tries and Bryony Cleall kicked a conversion to give the E’s a 17 – 0 lead at half time.
In the second half the heavier Welwyn pack started to dominate and the visitors spent the first 15 minutes continually defending their line. Eventually Welwyn scored to bring the score back to 17 – 5, but soon after the restart the E's back line counter attacked from inside their own half and Katy Jones on the right wing scored in the corner to make the score 22 – 5.
Ellingham lost their influential centre Bryony Cleall with a knee injury, which was a blow as she has been invited to an England Under 20 trial this week. This was followed by another period of concerted pressure, which led to Welwyn’s second try, which brought the score to 22 – 10.
At this stage, the atmosphere was very tense, but Welwyn were having to chase the game and this allowed the Ellingham & Ringwood backs to again counter attack from their own half. A fluid handling move resulted in fly half Charlotte Benson scoring under the posts and with Rosie Tugwell kicking the conversion, the visitors had an unassailable 29 – 10 lead with a few minutes left on the clock.
From the restart, Welwyn again attacked and the exhausted Ellingham & Ringwood defence eventually conceded a third try, but this was the final play of the game and the visitors were able to celebrate an impressive 29 – 15 victory.
After the game, Steve Benson, the Ellingham & Ringwood coach said, "This was an awesome performance and was a game that we could easily have lost if we hadn’t been mentally and physically up for it. The result means that we stay top of the league and we can now look forward to a less stressful friendly against Cirencester at home this Sunday."
Click for full report
Denholm Johnstone with Jason Leonard
