DEPLETED Ellingham & Ringwood suffered a 48-12 defeat at the hands of London & SE Division Three leaders Old Tiffinians.

Non-availability of players due to half-term saw the Es head up the M3 with a much-changed squad and they put in a spirited performance following a sluggish start.

Old Tiffinians started brightly and forged into a 20-point lead after registering three tries, a penalty and a conversion in the first 20 minutes.

Ellingham wing three-quarter Mark Hutchinson finished off a good move to reduce the deficit to 20-5 at the break.

Lock forward Tim Linford scored a good try from a rolling maul, which was converted by full-back Mark Burrett, as the visitors further reduced the hosts’ advantage in the second half.

But the London side continued to dominate and eventually ran out comfortable winners to cement their position at the top of the table.

  • Ellingham & Ringwood’s women put in an impressive performance to see off Harlequins 43-5 on Sunday with victory seeing them regain top spot in RFU National Challenge SES2.

The New Forest side’s points were scored by Kourtney Driscoll (2), Abbie Awdas, Hannah Duffy, Lucy Juffkins, Gilly Thomas and Charlotte West, while fly-half Gilly Thomas added four conversions.

Dorset & Wilts One South results: Blandford 25 Wimborne II 8, Frome II 24 Bournemouth II 10, Sherborne II 16 Oakmeadians 22, Westbury 6 Lytchett Minster 6.

London Three South West: Teddington 22 New Milton & District 34.