WILL Searle’s debut try proved in vain as Ellingham & Ringwood suffered a 56-20 defeat at the hands of Old Tonbridgians.
Scrum-half Searle capped an impressive display by touching down in the first half, while Callum Butler went over for a fine try before the break.
However, although Ali Bennett added two conversions and two penalties, the Es reached the interval trailing 38-20 with Old Tonbridgians’ three-quarter line proving too strong for them.
And although the Ellingham & Ringwood forwards put in a strong second-half showing, their Richmond-based opponents ran in a further four tries to ease to victory.
Meanwhile, Aaron Barker played a key role in helping Ellingham & Ringwood claim an important losing bonus point as they went down 37-26 at the hands of Dorset Division 2 high-fliers Swanage & Wareham.
Barker, one of three first-half try-scorers along with Joe Walsgrove and Josh Butcher, added two conversions as the Es established a narrow 19-15 lead at the break.
And although Swans came back strongly in the second half to build up a 37-19 lead, Barker scored a finely-taken individual try, which he converted, to ensure the losing bonus point.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here