Verwood 0 v IWRFC 1st XV 74 - 10/04/10

With the sun bright in the sky and the league wrapped up, the Island were keen to entertain and enjoy their last league game of the season. The fun started within a few minutes as a ball moved wide, was grubbered through by Stu Browne for Ali Gates to score.

Shortly after Nick Puckett picked up from a scrum, fed Chris Williams who gave an inside pass for Gates to score again. Gates completed his hat trick some two minutes later as he latched on to a loose ball to score. Williams added the conversion.
Williams, seeing the opportunity of a quick tap, danced through the defence to pop the ball to Will Peters for a score. Gareth Paisley added the kick.
The forwards, strong all season, now joined in with an effective drive from the line out. Two quick recycling rucks allowed the ball to move down the line for Puckett to receive an inside pass and score under the posts and add his own conversion.
The first half scoring was completed when Browne, calling a mark, tapped and went from his own 22. Linking up at the half way, he released Paisley to sprint in.
Much of the same continued in the second half as a flowing move from in the Islands own 22 went through numerous hands for Dave Gilpin to run in. A four man line released Andy White who parted the defence to score. Paisley adding the conversion.
Browne then showed his trade mark dummy twice to pass inside for Neil Brading to score and add his own kick. Adam Leal then pounced on a loose ball, scoring and converting. Leal then added his second as Puckett broke from a scrum and fed the ball. Williams added the kick.

The final score also came from the scrum, when Colman Cotter fed Puckett on the inside, who timed his pass to Brading. The scoring was completed as it had started when Brading passes to Lymington Precision Engineering Man of the Match Ali Gates.
IWRFC: S Browne, A Gates, N Brading, W Peters, G Paisley, C Williams, C Cotter, N Puckett, A Leal, N Tombleson, A White, A Thomas, D Jennings, M Newnham, I Puzey, J Curran, D Gilpin, D Metcalfe.

Portsmouth IV 24 v IWRFC II 10 - 10/04/10

The Isle of Wight second team were defeated in their final league game of the season at Hilsea. They were unfortunate in that Portsmouth’s second and third team had their games cancelled, so that the opposition they faced was a good deal stronger than Portsmouth’s usual fourth string. With this in mind, the Island delivered a courageous defensive performance and gave a fine account of themselves.

In warm and sunny conditions, the IW had a perfect start, scoring a try inside thirty seconds. The forwards disrupted Portsmouth ruck ball, from which Simon Gilpin pounced to kick ahead from inside his own half. Gilpin was impeded as he sought to be first to the loose ball, but Sam Tyson made this immaterial as he outpaced the covering defenders to touch down.

After this whirlwind start, the hosts settled down and began to feed their potent backline, who scored two converted tries in the opening half hour. Nevertheless, the Island were competing well, particularly in the forwards. Neil Harrison and Brandon Frost-Jones were thriving out of touch, while the scrum was putting Portsmouth under all sorts of pressure, as props Ollie Boulter and Andy Brown won their individual battles. Trailing by nine points approaching halftime, the IW were indebted to Ian Rock who was fed quick ball and rounded the cover defenders to ground the ball just as he hit the corner flag. The try was awarded and the IW trailed 14-10 at the break.

The excellent Gilpin was forced off injured after taking a number of heavy hits at this stage, which necessitated a reshuffle. In the second period Portsmouth started to pin the Island back, and though the visiting forwards continued to turn ball over, the IW found it difficult to break out of their own half. A critical moment arrived ten minutes into the half, when the IW mauled to within three metres of the line, but the referee surprised both sides by awarding Portsmouth a penalty for a mystery infringement. This would be the last Island opportunity to score, apart from a Gary Warvill penalty attempt which was narrowly wide.

Portsmouth kicked a penalty to extend their lead, and then for the only time in the game the IW missed tackles which allowed them to run in a try from halfway. Trailing by fourteen, it seemed that the Island would now suffer a heavy defeat. However, pinned in their own 22 for the remainder of the game, their defence was exceptional. Not for the first time this season, the IW repelled wave after wave of home attacks, particularly helped by Nick Phillips and Lymington Precision Engineers man of the match Tom Love. Portsmouth merited their victory in the end but the IW took great solace from their effort.

Tomorrow (Saturday) at Wootton Rec the Island firsts host a touring army side, while the seconds host Haslemere.
IW: Leahy, Rock, S Gilpin, Phillips, Collinson, Warvill, Tyson, Brown, Byrne, Boulter, Downer, Frost-Jones, Finn, Love, Harrison. Replacements: Horton, Lilly.

IWRFC 1st XV 48 vs Fawley 1st XV 0 - 27/03/10

The Hampshire Division Two title was delivered with a thoroughly controlled and dominant performance at Wooton on Saturday. The Island finally secured the title that has been their target all season and celebrated well in to the night.
But it was a determined Fawley who battled away against the home side and early honours were shared. Despite this, the Island pack were in the ascendancy in the scrum and pressure paid off after half an hour.

Cotter broke blind from a scrum 15 meters out and fed Chris Williams to score. Home pressure was then further applied and Adam Leal picked a gap and cantered in under the posts on the half time. Gareth Paisley converted.

Turning round with Woottons slope to their advantage, it was not long before the spirit of the visitors was broken with two well taken tries. Firstly Andy bWhite broke from the back of a dominant maul to power over. This was followed by Leals second try as his constant support of the backs was rewarded.
The Island were now dominant in all areas and looked to enjoy the remainder of the game. Forward drives and slick handling now came to the fore. Williams scored his second with a darting run and two pirouettes before putting down for Paisley to convert. Then Neil Brading cut inside to score. Phil Baldwin joined in the scoring, taking a switch pass to ghost in. Leal added the conversion.
The Island then seemed to lose focus, understandable with the win secured, but a revival by Fawley refocused the home side as their uncompromising defence battered the attacking Fawley backwards.

The Island finished off the game with a sweeping movement, finished by Ian Rock, with Paisley adding the kick.
Much of the praise for the success of the season must go to all the clubs players for their effort and focus throughout the season. It has been a truly club success. The season long effort of the forwards was again recognised as Adam Thomas was named Lymington Precision Engineers Man of the match.
The players and coaching staff would like to thank all those who have helped at the club on match days and to those who have supported and encouraged them throughout the season.
The club now go on tour to Belgium over the Easter Weekend before finishing their league fixtures against Verwood on Sat 10th April.

Team:

S Browne, G Paisley, N Brading, W Peters, C Williams, P Baldwin, C Cotter, A White, A Leal, N Tombleson, A Thomas, D Church, D Jennings, M Newnham, I Puzey, Res: O Boulter, S Wilson, I Rock

IWRFC 2nd XV 34 vs Fawley 2nd XV 10

The Isle of Wight RFC second team made sure not to spoil the party of their first team counterparts who secured league honours, by earning a comprehensive victory on the adjoining pitch at Wootton Rec. A remarkable 27 players represented the club, and Fawley were gracious enough to allow the Island to use the whole squad, in the spirit of rugby.

Playing with the slope and slight breeze in the first half, the Island needed a strong start and got it. The scrum functioned well against a bigger Fawley eight, while Neil Harrison stole a number of the opposition’s lineouts. This ensured that the hosts had the edge in possession and territory. Fawley’s defence was resolute at first, and it took exceptional handling under pressure from the entire backline to allow Josh Collinson enough room to touch down as he hit the corner flag.

Buoyed by this start, the seconds proceeded to play some of their best rugby of the season. It featured patience and intelligent use of slow ball, coupled with aggression at the breakdown. Despite a swift Fawley response when they scored a levelling touchdown, the IW were soon back in front. A long succession of phases were strung together before Ali Gates was hauled down in the 22, and the impressive James Curran was driven over in the left corner for the Island’s second try.

Now the IW turned the screw, winning lineout ball deep in the Fawley half, where a rolling maul made progress before Kevin Scovell peeled off unnoticed to score by the corner flag. Their dominance continued as halftime arrived, as Kieran Leahy and fly-half general Gary Warvill combined well down the blindside for the latter to score. Leahy’s conversion kick heralded halftime as the IW led 22-5.

A long list of substitutions was bound to lead to some disjointed play in the second half, though this was not a reflection on the players who entered the fray. Fawley fared better in the second half, but had to absorb a lot of pressure. Tom Enticknap almost scored but was stripped of the ball over the line, but the next score was soon to come as wing Tom White was set free to score.

The sixth and final try came soon after the hour mark, and fittingly was scored by one of the Island’s primary ball-carriers for the day, evergreen lock Paul Simpson. Replacement Steve Sellick converted. Fawley showed good spirit to register the final try of the game soon after this, but the Island finished the game in the ascendancy, driven forward by Lymington Precision Engineers man of the match Sam Tyson and returning club stalwart John Dry. Dave Gilpin and debutant James Horton were among others to impress in a fine Island display.

Today (Friday) the Isle of Wight embark on their annual tour, as they travel to Belgium to partake in the Ghent International rugby tournament. Both firsts and seconds complete their league campaigns away from home on Saturday 10th April.
IW: Leahy, Collinson, T Enticknap, Phillips, Gates, Warvill, Tyson, Lilly, Love, Scovell, P Simpson, Downer, Curran, D Gilpin, Harrison. Replacements: Horton, T White, S Gilpin, Sellick, Heighway, Brodie, Byrne, Curless, Frost-Jones, J Wright, Pugh-Panther, J Dry.

Locksheath Pumas 3 vs Isle of Wight 1st XV 14 - 20/03/10

Coach’s view

This hard fought away victory now places the Island within one win of the Hampshire Division 2 title. Despite a windswept match, conditions on a par with the home sides hospitality, the determination and strength of the Island side carried then through to a more comfortable win than the score suggests.

Both sides took time to settle into the game, with a host of penalties halting any positive progress. First to score were the home side , with a penalty. This was soon cancelled out as Phil Baldwin converted two penalties for the Island.

Both sides lost players to the sin bin for ‘team’ penalties, but the visitors coped better with these drawbacks and started to dominate at scrum and breakdown. It was only the awarding of penalties that denied the Island scores, as they kept coming up short in the opponents 22.

It was therefore a pleasant surprise as the Island countered from their own 22 to score one of the tries of the season. With quick ball won, the backs ran the ball, Chris Williams stepping inside his man and accelerating into the gap. Adam Leal was on his shoulder to support and time his pass to Ian Rock. The wing then stepped round a tackle and accelerated away from 50 yards to score.

Playing into the conditions second half the strong Island running constantly drove back Pumas, denying them many opportunities. Most of the second half was played in the home sides half and the Island secured victory with a Baldwin penalty.

Again a strong forward display was the focus for victory, with Lymington Precision Engineers Man of the Match going to the ever impressive Ian Puzey.

Saturday sees the Island entertain Fawley at both 1st & 2nd XV levels. A victory for the Island will give them the division title. Kick Off 2-30pm.

The view from the touchline

In difficult conditions at Sarisbury, the Isle of Wight secured a hard earned win which moves them within 80 minutes of the league title. A marvellous try and some accurate Phil Baldwin kicking ensured the victory.

The game started in wet and windy conditions and the weather was to deteriorate throughout the game, which dictated that the forward battle was likely to decide the contest, and also that continuity would be difficult to achieve. The IW struggled to come to terms with the referee’s interpretation of the laws in the opening half, and found themselves in their own 22 after 15 minutes, conceding a penalty which the hosts kicked to open the scoring.

From an early stage it was evident that the Island scrum was in total control, pressurising the Pumas put-in and taking some strikes against the head. This allowed them to set up good field position and win a penalty which Baldwin kicked to level the scores on 20 minutes. Both sides defended well in this phase of the game, but some excellent touchfinding kicks by Baldwin, Chris Williams and Stuart Browne helped the Island to maintain the edge, and the former converted another penalty on 37 minutes for a 6-3 lead.

Almost immediately after this, the Island scored the game’s only try. It had unpromising origins as a ball bobbled loose in their own 22, but Baldwin and Williams saw the opportunity to run and moved the ball wide to good effect. Linkman Adam Leal provided support and offloaded to winger Ian Rock, who outpaced the cover defenders for a glorious try. Baldwin’s conversion was charged down, but even at this early stage it was clear that an eight-point lead in the prevailing weather would be significant. After a surprising 11 minutes of stoppage time, halftime came.

Locksheath started the second half in determined mood, but got no change from a resolute Island defence, where Ian Puzey and Nick Puckett were among the most effective tacklers. The hosts did force a penalty opportunity, but dropped it short and were never a real threat from then on. The last quarter saw the IW get on top, as Baldwin was successful with the second of two penalty kicks to stretch the margin. They finished the game looking like scoring a second try, but were stopped short on a couple of occasions before the final whistle. The team has now conceded a total of 33 points in their last 11 games, including just two tries.

IWRFC: S Browne, I Rock, P Baldwin, W Peters, G Paisley, C Williams, C Cotter, I Puzey, M Newnham, D Jennings, D Church, O Boulter, A Thomas, A Leal. N Puckett, A White, N Tombleson, S Wilson, D Gilpin, J Curran.