Counties 2 Hampshire rugby: New Milton close season with convincing win over Tottonians II
Counties 2 Hampshire
Tottonians II 17
New Milton 59
IT'S now a waiting game for New Milton who finished the season top of the table with a convincing win – but could still be overtaken by two sides beneath them.
Milton finished on 81 points, four ahead of Bognor who have one game at hand, and nine ahead of Ellingham & Ringwood who still have two to play.
And with up to five points up for grabs for a win, all three could still take the title – and Fordingbridge will play a big part in those results, facing both sides over the next two weeks.
Tottonians II are in the lower half of the league, and showed some style in the opening moments of this game. But Milton soon got into their running game and outscored Totts by nine tries to two.
From the kick-off, Totts were awarded a penalty which they converted. Then, from a Totts lineout on halfway, Milton gained possession and passed out to Joe Eldridge who ran in for a converted try.
Ben Steers then gained possession from a ruck on half way and ran clear of the chasing defenders, passing to Finlay Anderson to score.
Milton gained dominated a Totts scrum on halfway, with Sam Bew making a break and passing to Adam Lavis who used his pace to run clear for a try before adding the extras.
Totts then scored a converted try of their own before, from a Milton scrum just in their half, the ball was passed out to Joe Eldridge who ran clear, passing to Dalton Thomas to touch down. This was quickly followed by Tom Gould grabbing a Milton lineout, brushing off defenders and running clear for another try.
A penalty award to Totts gave them a lineout in the Milton 22. But after a Milton scrum, the ball was thrown out to Christian Brown who evaded the tackles and passed to Charlie Jewiss who dotted down for a half-time score of 10-40.
Totts were keen to show their passing game at the start of the second half, only for Christian Brown to intercept and run clear to score. Then from a lineout on Totts' 22 Tom Gould gained possession and headed for the line for a try, converted by Connor Hammerstone.
A penalty to Milton gave them possession but they were unable to score until the ball was cleared to Lavis who made a break past defenders, finding Joe Eldridge who went over for a converted try.
New Milton were then subjected to period of pressure in their 22 with Totts finally scoring.
Players of the match for New Milton were Christian Brown and Dalton Thomas.
Team: T. Gould, L. Booker, E. Hynd, B. Steers, J. Corbett, J. Lines, S. Bew, L. Waugh, A. Lavis, C. Brown, C. Hammerstone, C. Jewiss, J. Eldridge, F. Anderson, D. Thomas, D. Mallard, C. Wood, F. Hodges.
