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.