ELLINGHAM & Ringwood were beaten with the final kick of the match in a 45-44 Hampshire One thriller at Isle of Wight.

The visitors started well and centre Callum Butler crossed for a try converted by scrum-half Josh Butcher.

Ellingham then lost fly-half Archer Cockayne to an ankle injury and had to adjust. Number-eight Stuart Pearce moved to centre and soon crossed, which was followed by tries from captain Garrett Avis – also playing out of position at full-back – and flanker Andrew Lorton.

Butcher added two further conversions to give Ellingham a 26-18 lead at the break.

The high scoring continued in the second half with further tries from prop Oli Wentworth and centre Callum Butler. Butcher kicked a conversion and two further penalties and the Es led 44-38 going into the last five minutes.

But despite ferocious defence, the visitors could not hold out and Isle of Wight scored under the posts, the conversion meaning the Es had to be content with two losing bonus points.

Ellingham & Ringwood III shared a 34-34 draw with Swanage & Wareham III.

Mike Moody, Josh Rowntree, Jack Norris, George Guy and Jonny Joiner and Ben Wolfenden scored Ellingham’s tries.

Meanwhile, New Milton & District retained their firm grip on top spot with a 32-22 victory over visitors Sandown & Shanklin.

Adam Lavis kicked the hosts in front with a penalty and although Sandown responded with a pushover try, they were not ahead for long.

Ramon Mallette, Tom Gould and Sam O’Regan all scored tries, one of which was converted by Lavis.

Sandown reduced to 20-12 the advantage at the break with a converted try of their own.

The away side drew to within five points thanks to a second-half penalty but Milton’s Sam Bew touched down and Gould grabbed his second try. Lavis added the extras.

Although Sandown managed a penalty try and a successful conversion in the dying moments, Milton prevailed.

New Milton squad: Adam Lavis, Ramon Mallette, Tom Gould, Sam O’Regan, Lee Thomas, Sam Bew, Ed Hynd, Lyndon Booker, Charlie Sugden, Nick McQueen, Tom Duckworth, Ben Russell, Ben Steers, James Poole, Dave Simmons, Chris Conacher, Dan Oliver, Dalton Thomas.