We gathered for the first VP lunch of the season and somehow managed to squeeze 57 around the tables. It was great to see so many players of recent seasons catching up with each other. Thanks to all the VPs who brought contributions to the Ringwood & Fordingbridge Foodbank.

For some it may have been the first turkey roast of the festive season and John Butler certainly gave us an excellent meal. Terry Burwell the Hampshire RFU representative on the RFU Council, was with us as a lunch guest, as well as observing the referee. He gave a short address on the RFU and local grass roots rugby.

It was a vital game for us with a need to get back to winning ways. The sizeable home crowd on the east touchline added their support which was a real help to the lads.

We struck first with a penalty from Mat Norton on seven minutes and this was followed by a sustained period of pressure resulting in a try from captain Mark Hammond which was converted by Mat to take the score to 10 - 0.

It was the visitors who were next on the board with an unconverted try but we soon came back with another spell of pressure resulting in a penalty from Mat followed by a converted try from Matt Randall to take the half time score to 20 – 5.

As the temperature dropped and the skies clouded over the match was a typical local derby, edgy, feisty at times, but well controlled by Mr Edwards our referee. We were next to score with a penalty from Mat. E & R rallied and got a converted try on 57 minutes to take the score to 23 – 12.

However, we returned to the attack and a clean break through the defence by Ben Bealey on 65 minutes resulted in a try under the posts and Mat’s conversion took the lead up 30 – 12. It was no surprise when Mark Hammond again used his strength to get over the line in the 75th minute converted by Mat.

In the gathering gloom E & R did have the final say with an unconverted try in the last minute to take the final score to 37 – 17.

Our Man of the Match was James Gwynne.

Next match home to New Milton on Saturday 21st December.