TOM Phillips was the two-try hero for Ellingham & Ringwood under-16s in their 26-7 win away against Romsey.

Ellingham began the match briskly when Phillips plucked the ball out of the air at the first line-out.

The pack charged forward combining with the backs, through several phases up to the Romsey try line, but good defensive work prevented the first score.

Romsey cleared their lines and spun the ball wide to their right wing.

A great angled run beat Ellingham’s defence and took them all the way to the visitors’ five-metre line, where Gareth Dyer put in a great tackle and won the penalty as the Romsey player held on, preventing Tom Baldwin possession.

Ellingham scored their first try through Dan Evans following an excellent handling move, which also involved Baldwin, Flinn O’Hara, Kristian Goodall and Luke Reynolds.

Ellingham then extended their lead to 12-0 when Phillips crashed over for a try that was converted by Declan Berry.

From a ruck, Dan Evans then picked up and broke two tackles before giving a well-timed pass to Phillips who scored his second try. This was again converted by Berry to make the half time score 19-0.

In the second half, Romsey came back strongly and scored a well-taken try, which was converted to make the scoreline 19-7.

After the mini revival, Ellingham’s defence held strong and late in the game a good move involving Henry Chessell, Evans, Goodall, Lewis Harrison, Toby James and Scott Robertson resulted in a penalty try because of a high tackle.

This was again converted by Berry to make the final score 26-7.