ELLINGHAM & Ringwood maintained their 100 per cent winning record with a hard-fought 7-5 victory over second-placed St Mary’s Old Boys in National Challenge Division One South West.

The Bristol outfit put in a tremendous defensive performance but, shortly before half-time, a well-worked backs move allowed Ellingham centre Keira Paul-Jones to make a good break.

She was tackled short of the line but full-back Chloe Barrett was in close support and took the offload to score under the posts. Barrett added the conversion to open a 7-0 lead at the break.

St Mary’s dominated much of the second half and were rewarded with a late try in the corner. But the conversion was missed and Ellingham held on to claim victory.