ELLINGHAM & Ringwood had to be satisfied with a losing bonus point after going down 21-16 at the hands of Hampshire One rivals and neighbours Fordingbridge.
The hosts reached the break at the Raymond Brown Memorial Ground leading 9-8 after scrum-half Josh Butcher had kicked three first-half penalties.
Fordingbridge, who had replied in the opening period with a try and penalty, scored two further tries and a penalty to open a 21-9 lead in the second half.
But Ellingham fly-half Archer Cockayne responded with a superb individual try, which Butcher converted, to close the gap to 21-16.
However, despite playing some of their best rugby of the game, Ellingham were unable find a way past a solid Fordingbridge defence.
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