Match report: New Milton RFC suffers 24-18 Hampshire Counties One loss to Bournemouth RFC seconds

New Milton lost 24-18 to Bournemouth seconds in Hampshire Counties One on Saturday; however, despite a strong showing, they endured another defeat.

New Milton have suffered a succession of poor results, but everyone connected to the club feels the performances have improved recently. However, that has yet to be rewarded by results.

The obliging hosts thought Christmas had come early, gifting the visitors their first try. New Milton rushed to take a quick drop-out, only for the ball to bobble along the ground for five metres. A play later, Bournemouth seconds had the ball 10 metres out from the try-line. Quick hands along the line saw them score the other corner.

The game was reasonably equal throughout, but mistakes at crucial points and the quality of New Milton’s kicking frustrated those watching from the sidelines.

Dalton Thomas went over for New Milton’s opening try, but conversions were difficult to come by with a powerful and blustery wind.

However, Connor Hammerston managed some success with the boot, kicking over three points before Sam Bew scored an excellent try, diving for the visitors’ line at full stretch after a superb driving run from Rueben Kendall.

The hosts’ third and final try came from Lewis Thompson, but try as they might, New Milton could not find a fourth, which would have won them the losing bonus points.

New Milton will be hoping to turn over a new leaf after Christmas when they return to Hampshire Counties One action. They will face Eastleigh away from home on the first Saturday of the new year.

New Milton: G. Shortland, H. Chung, E. Hynd, J. Corbett, R. Kendall, L. Minardi, R. Pearce, L. Thompson, A. Lavis, D. Thomas, M. Mycroft, C. Hamerston, N. Smith, J. Eldridge, S. Smith. Subs: S. Bew, R. Richardson, E. Lewis.