IWRFC 1st XV 48 vs Fawley 1st XV 0 - 27/03/10
Monday, March 29, 2010 at 10:26PM 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
Reader Comments (3)
I share your pain now pookay! I to have been robbed of my m.o.t.m! :-(
A sad state of affairs... two weeks on the trot....
Is Andy bWhite named in the same way as Alan bStard??
I feel sorry for Cotter - being broke is bad enough, but to be blind as well? Poor bloke.