LEADERS Ellingham & Ringwood brought down the curtain on 2016 with a 22-0 victory over National Challenge Division Two South rivals Southampton at the Raymond Brown Memorial Ground.

Ellingham made the breakthrough early in the second half when good work from wing three-quarter Evie Karkera allowed prop forward Hannah Walraven to crash over for their first try.

Full-back Chloe Barrett and flank forward Amy Shipley both scored tries with Chloe Barrett adding a conversion.

Number eight Izzy Hall, a product of the club’s under-18s, completed the scoring with a superb individual try from an attacking scrum on her adult debut.

Ellingham coach Henry Benson said: “We had to work hard for the result and didn’t play well, particularly in the first half.

“This is a tough league with most teams being able to beat each other on their day so it’s good to be top at Christmas. But we are going to have to keep up our momentum in the new year.”

Meanwhile, number eight Ben Franklin scored a good individual try to secure a losing bonus point in Ellingham & Ringwood’s 12-5 defeat by Lytchett Minster in Dorset & Wilts Two South.

Ellingham & Ringwood put up a brave performance against Wimborne in Dorset & Wilts Three South but eventually lost 22-0.

They were pleased to see the return of influential number eight Steve Carey, who completed the game unscathed and will strengthen the side in the new year.

  • Yenai Tinley held his nerve to slot over a late conversion as New Milton IIs registered a narrow 21-19 victory over Dorset & Wilts Two South rivals Bournemouth IV at Chapel Gate.

Man of the match Nathan Smith scored two tries for New Milton, while Tom Gould also touched down.