The Island second team got back to winning ways with an emphaticvictory at Alresford. The home side were depleted and the Islanddonated them Noel Finn, Josh Collinson and later Brandon Frost-Jones,all of whom tackled their hearts out and helped to make the gamecompetitive. Foundations were laid for this victory in the openinghalf-hour, where a 24-point haul effectively put the Islanders out ofreach.

After good performances in defeat in recent games, the IW targettedvictory in this game, and began like a whirlwind. Forwards and backscombined well, and from a close-in ruck Lymington Precision Engineersman of the match Ali Downer was able to drive over for the openingscore. Kieran Leahy converted. Alresford responded but the Islandturned over ball in their own 22, and Ali Gates was given some space.He took full advantage, showing tremendous pace to beat severalwouldbe tacklers en route to the line for another converted try.

It was by no means one-way traffic, but Alresford's only score camefrom an Island error, as a backline move malfunctioned and the hostswere able to hack on and score a seven-pointer to halve the deficit.Stung by this, the Island were soon on the attack again and Leahy wasaccurate with a 40 metre penalty to open up a ten-point lead. The IWwere soon scoring again, being more patient in their build-up play andstringing together a remarkable number of phases before theinfluential Martin Newnham crashed over. The conversion made it 24-7at the break.

The Island would now have to play up the significant slope, and knewthat a quick try would realistically finish the contest. They obligedin the second minute of the second half, as centre Stuart Browne cut astraight line off a Will Peters pass and raced in untouched underneaththe posts for another seven points.

Alresford showed good spirit throughout, and the next twenty minuteswere something of a stalemate, as neither side were able to get theupper hand. However, the Island finished the stronger, as Tom Lovemarked his return to the game after a long absence with an industriousperformance, while Andy Puckett and replacement Simon Gilpin alsoimpressed. An inside ball by Peters was taken on by Sandy Wilson, whojinked around a number of defenders to score, while Wilson then turnedprovider to free elusive wing Tom White, who sidestepped his man toscore on the right. Leahy narrowly missed the last conversion to spoilan otherwise perfect record from the placed ball, but it wasimmaterial as the Island celebrated victory.

Tomorrow (Saturday) both Island sides host Overton at Wootton Rec,kicking off at 2.30 pm.IW: Leahy, T White, Browne, Phillips, Gates, Peters, Tyson, Newnham,Love, Scovell, Downer, A Puckett, Frost-Jones, Wilson, Curran.Replacements: Finn, Collinson, S Gilpin, Howell.