Match report: Ellingham & Ringwood RFC secure highest-ever league spot after 57-20 Hampshire Counties One victory over Trojans

Hampshire Counties One

Ellingham & Ringwood RFC 57

Trojans RFC 20

ELLINGHAM & Ringwood carry their winning Hampshire Counties One momentum into the new year, scoring nine tries against Trojans on Saturday to move into second place.

Ellingham have now won eight league matches in a row, with a record of 11 wins from 13 games. They moved two points ahead of Gosport, with unbeaten runaway league leaders Havant seconds clear on 65 points, who Ellingham faces this weekend.

They got off to a good start with captain and scrum-half Sammy Veneroso picking the ball up from the base of the scrum in the opposition’s 22, nipping down the blindside to score in the fourth minute. Chris Frost kicked the additional two points.

Ellingham continued to apply the pressure, this time through hooker Pat Fraser who, in his typical powerful way, muscled over six minutes later to score a converted try.

Trojans scored an unconverted try in the 17th minute when their hooker drove over the line. They went looking for a second, but Frost intercepted a pass near the halfway line before racing clear and touching down under the posts, making it easy for him to convert for the extra two points.

Ellingham scored a fourth try in the 38th minute through outside half Hugo Leigh-Watts after excellent build-up work from the forwards, securing a deserved bonus point, and Frost converted to make it 28-5 at the break.

Ellingham got off to a blistering start after the break, with second-rower Connor Scott deftly off-loading to winger Dan Gollings, who sprinted clear to score in the far corner to the delight of the home crowd before Connor Scott crashed over to extend the lead.

Trojans enjoyed a good spell, scoring their second try of the game in the 59th minute, but Ellingham captain Veneroso got his second try of the game in the 66th minute when he took a quick free kick and dashed over the try-line, this time Frost was able to convert his kick.

Trojans added a third, but Ellingham hit back again with second-row forward Dean Smith scoring under the posts for their ninth and final try of the game in the 73rd minute, which Frost converted.

Trojans enjoyed the final say, crossing over to score a fourth try and earn a bonus point. Still, Ellingham’s mood would not be dented, with the club celebrating their highest-ever league placing ahead of an away match against Havant seconds.

Ellingham & Ringwood: A. Payne, P. Fraser, T. Sampson, D. Smith, C. Scott, T. Johnson, A. Lorton, G. Randall, S. Veneroso, T. Veneroso, D. Gollings, A. Higgins, H. Leigh-Watts, C. Frost, C. Jeffes. Subs: S. Dargan, J. Bovett, C. Hills.