Ellingham & Ringwood hosted three games at the Raymond Brown Memorial Game, with the women's team kicking things off with a hard fought victory over Reading, followed by Ellingham's 1st XV playing Portsmouth and the 2nd XV playing Lytchett Minster, added to this there was a pre-match Christmas lunch.

Prior to the kick off a minutes silence was held in memory of ex-Ellingham & Ringwood player Jake Wiltshire who sadly passed away at the age of only 56 as well as Tom Voyce ex-England international who also died too soon at the age of 43. In bright winter sunshine the game kicked off with the home team looking to extend their unbeaten run and maintain their push for promotion. In an attritonal game of rugby both defences worked extremely hard to ensure the attempts to breach the opposition's try lines was made as hard as possible, Ellingham thought they had done so twice in the first half firstly through Pat Fraser the hooker following sustained pressure on Portsmouth's try line only for the referee to consider the ball was held up. Then as the first half drew to its end captain and scrum half Sammy Veneroso tried to muscle his way over the try line only be thwarted by the visitor's defence and the referee for Sammy's attempt to be held up once again. Therefore, the scoring was down to the reliable boot of full back Chris Frost who slotted over two penalties on the 15th minute for a high tackle from the visitors and another one shortly after in the 19th minute following another indiscretion from a Portsmouth player.

The second half started in a similar vein to the first with both defences holding out, but in the 51st minute Porstmouth were to score the first try of the game with a break away from deep inside their own twenty-two. Ellingham had a penalty and the ball was eventually spun out to number eight George Randall who smashed into two Portsmouth defenders one of whom ripped the ball out of George's arms defence turned into attack very quickly and they managed to score in the far top corner to make the score 6-5 as they were unable to convert for the extra two points with a difficult kick from out wide.

This spurred Ellingham into action and attacking the SpecSavers end of the ground they scored the try of the game with first team debutant Dan Gollings playing on the right wing darting and avoiding several tackles dived over in the corner to extend the home team's lead, this time Chris Frost could not slot the ball through the uprights. As mentioned earlier this game was very attritional with both sets of forwards not backing down in the tackle and ruck areas of the game, eventually Ellingham Prop Adam Payne (pictured) managed to twist and turn his way over the try line in the 62 minute of the game to give the home team their second try of the game and it earnt Adam the MAN OF THE MATCH award after the game.

There was to be no further scores in the game and Ellingham maintained their position of being third in the league, this was their penultimate game before the Christmas break before a tricky away fixture next Saturday at Basingstoke. This victory in front of a large crowd was one of three victories as the second team won their game as well to complete the triple header of games on this Super Spectacular Saturday at the Raymond Brown Memorial Ground. This was followed by a Nativity Themed Fancy Dress Christmas Party in the club house where there was some very novel costumes and much merriment was had by all. A big thanks to all those club members who worked tirelessly all day and evening in the kitchen and behind the bar to meet the demands of the players and spectators, all organised by Becci Windsor who is a living legend. Plus there was a special presentation by Henry Benson on behalf of the players who contributed to buy another Ellingham legend John Mandeville a 80th birthday present in recognition of all the hard work he has done over the years for the club and continues to do so.

Swede