Puddletown - H - Score 3-10

Conditions were perfect for Rugby with a firm, dry ground and bright sunshine although a rather strong breeze. Puddletown came hellbent on victory, having lost their first two League matches including a trouncing by Ellingham & Ringwood the previous week.

Fordingbridge fielded a mixture of old and new under this season’s captain Mike Parry, as well as Jim Newton playing his first game after injury, former club captain Tim Donell and among other old stagers were Dave Gogin, Phil Collier, Keith Walsh and Andrew Godden.

Their experience made sure Fordingbridge resisted to the end, and with new Spanish singing Raul often prominent up front, and Callum Butler tackling everything that moved, the club ensured that the result was in doubt until the final whistle.

Both sides were slow to settle and after a rather undistinguished first quarter Jim Newton gave ‘Bridge the lead with a penalty after 30 minutes but Puddletown soon hit back with an unconverted try by their speedy right wing, Matt Isaac, whom was apparently playing only his fourth game of Rugby.

Fordingbridge should have led at half-time but Newton declined to take a penalty from close in and right in front of the posts, before taking and missing a more difficult one from wider out. ‘Bridge’s sustained period of pressure so nearly brought a try as it did toward the end of the match but Puddletown stood firm and five minutes from the end scored another unconverted try which proved decisive.

The team having been thrown together, and hastily re-arranged from the original selection the Fordingbridge 2’s can be proud of their spirited performance and it is to be hoped that this can be a launchpad for the rest of the season.