Ellingham & Ringwood take on Fordingbridge amid celebrating life of club stalwart Steve Benson

ELLINGHAM & Ringwood turned out en masse to celebrate the life of Steve Benson – whose long-standing dedication transformed the club – before a friendly contest with Fordingbridge.

However, no one had given Fordingbridge seconds the script, and they ran out 38-26 winners against Ellingham thirds.

Steve helped change Ellingham from one widely thought of as one of the worst in the country to a thriving club with hundreds of men, women, and children proudly donning the club’s shirt.

He was also instrumental in developing many talented rugby players, many of whom went on to represent their countries.

Ellingham & Ringwood director of rugby Mark Johnson held up Steve’s shirt as the sides observed a minute’s silence.

The hosts crossed over for the first try soon after the kick-off, but the lead was short-lived, with ’Bridge answering back with a try of their own.

As the match wore on, Ellingham & Ringwood suffered a few injuries, which altered the rhythm of the match, but the two sides played the game in a fair and sportsmanship manner, as Steve would have liked.