14 man Island just fail to hold on

Ventnor 8 IWRFC 5

The sending off of lock Adam Thomas left the Island 1st XV playing three quarters of the game a man down.

Early Island pressure saw their hosts under pressure oin the srum and in field position. This constant pressure allowed Martin Newnham to crash over.

Ventnor returned to the fray, and following an altercation, Thomas recieved his red card. However this did not stop the Island pressing forward, and were to the fore for the rest of the half.

Further problems were heaoped on the Island as they lost George Courtney after 5 minutes of the second half, stunned after a blow to the face.

Despite this the Island defence continued to hold out and they took all opportunities to attack, without reward. Both sides seemed to be confused as to some of the decisions given and the scrum was allowed to develop in to a farce, with little binding.

With some 10 minutes to go, Ventnor drew level, but it was with virtually the last kick of the game that a penalty in the Islands 22 was taken by the home side.

IWRFC: A White, S Tyson, D Stirrup, R Crossland, C Williams, B Evans, E Lynch, G Courtney, A Hay, A Thomas, O Boulter, D Jennings, M Newnham, I Puzey, C Clark, N Thombleson, G Paisley

2nds draw at Ventnor

Ventnor II 22 IW II 22

Spoils were shared in an error-strewn but dramatic pre-Christmas Merit league clash at Ventnor. Both sides will have mixed feelings about the result - Ventnor played much of the game with 14 men after an early red card, so may feel happier with the draw, but did lose a 14 point lead. The Isle of Wight showed spirit and commitment in coming back from two significant deficits, but will also bemoan a succession of missed opportunities to win the match.

Though the IW started well with some purposeful attacking, Ventnor broke away and were first to score under the posts, converted for a 7-0 lead. Neither side were able to establish much continuity due to handling errors and aggressive defence, but the sending off of Malkin for an incident at a ruck should have been a boost for the IW. Instead, they found themselves defending again and conceding a try to Newton, converted by Riches for a 14-0 scoreline after the opening quarter.

The Island had had more possession and territory at this stage and were infuriated at how little use they had made of this. There followed some improved building of phases and committed running from the likes of James Curran and captain Colman Cotter. Driving up to the line, Gary Warvill switched play blind for James Horton to score in the corner. Buoyed by this, the Island powered back into Ventnor territory soon after, moving the ball efficiently for Sandy Wilson to cross. Warvill’s conversion narrowed the gap to two, but a Riches penalty before halftime extended the hosts’ lead to 17-12.

As the second half began, the IW were confident that they could turn things around and made a series of substitutions with a view to achieving this. However, an almost comical list of injuries threatened to derail their aims, as four of the halftime subs lasted less than five minutes each, while further injuries were sustained throughout the 80 minutes. It was fortunate that the Island had a big enough matchday squad to absorb these setbacks.

When Ventnor capitalised on IW indecision to score another try and open up a ten point lead, the outlook for the visitors was bleak. Nevertheless, determination was not in short supply and they were soon on the attack, a delightful switch pass by Warvill allowing influential lock Dave Church to canter over under the posts. Warvill converted, and shortly added a penalty to level the scores with 15 minutes remaining.

The IW were now very much in the ascendancy, as Rory Wilson, replacement Martin Dedman and Rouse Intelligent Financial Solutions man of the match Horton made major inroads into the Ventnor defence. The latter was closest to scoring a winning try, but was stopped short. Crucially, in the ensuing series of attacking scrums Ventnor held the edge and cleared their lines. There was still time for a long range penalty effort from Warvill with two minutes left, which drifted wide and left Ventnor with a share of the points.

The Isle of Wight are next in action on Saturday 7 January, as the first team travel to US Portsmouth while the seconds host Stoneham at Wootton Rec.

IW: Gates, Horton, Curran, Gilpin, Coates, Warvill, Cotter, Scovell, Love, Walshe, Church, Downer, R Wilson, Pugh-Panther, Preston. Replacements: S Wilson, Corney, C Courtney, Lock, Lillington, Proud, Dedman, Lilly.

Injuries tell for 1sts at Millbrook

Millbrook 20 IWRFC 0
 

Always a tough place to gain an outcome, Millbrook proved this yet again as injuries struck the Islands chance.
Within the first 10 minutes of the game the Island took the game to their opposition dominating much of the play. Strong scrums and lineouts set up a handful of opportunies, but the visitors failed to capitalise.
Injuries to Rowland and Taylor within first 10 minutes took the wind out of the Islands storm, as their focus slipped.
 
Despite great defence penalties and offloading errors cost the IW as they went down 8-0 at half time.
 
The second half again saw a closely contested match, but the home side sprang on to an Island error to stretch their lead. 
Great runs from Day, Stirrup and William Peters kept on the pressure on Millbrook to the end but poor kicking decisions lead  to the final try to Millbrook.

Focus before the festive season will need to be stepped up as the Island end 2011 with a visit to Ventnor on Saturday, with both the 1^st and 2^nd teams meeting their Island nemesis.

IWRFC: O Boulter, I Puzey, D Jennings, A White, A Thomas, D Stirrup, G Courtney, E Lynch, B Evans, N Brading, S Tyson, W Peters, D Taylor, C Williams, M Rowlands, N Tombleson, R Crossland, G Paisley.

2nds brave effort at Portsmouth

Portsmouth IV  36  IW II  27

A spirited and at times inspired performance was not enough for the Island seconds to earn victory in Hilsea, against a Portsmouth side who showed their mettle in the last 25 minutes.

The Island started at a rate of knots, running directly and purposefully and breaking tackles. Jack Preston was causing the most damage, one of his runs being halted just short of the line, before Gary Warvill finished off the move with the Island’s opening try on three minutes. A second followed before ten minutes had elapsed, Warvill gathering a clearance kick and running it back with interest before offloading to Rouse Intelligent Financial Planning man of the match Gyles Pugh-Panther to touch down.

Portsmouth appeared shocked by this start, but worked their way into the game and enjoyed some possession. Winning a close-range lineout, they launched a sustained assault on the Island line to touch down. Shortly after this, a quick penalty caught the IW napping and the hosts were able to cross again and level the scores.

The IW hit back strongly, regaining the lead on the half-hour. Again it was the bullocking runs of Preston which made the difference, as he bowled over three would-be tacklers on his way to the line. They then embellished their advantage with the best try of the game, as quick lineout ball was moved along the backline skilfully for Chad Oatley to skin his man and speed in from halfway. The IW led 20-10 at halftime.

The second period started well for the visitors, as Mike Dalchow grew into the unfamiliar position of scrum-half, while Tom Love and Rory Wilson impressed up front along with newcomer Ben Savill. Again stretching the Portsmouth defence, Dave Gilpin broke a tackle and raced in. Warvill’s conversion extended the lead to 17 points and the IW seemed set fair for victory.

Though the Island will be bitterly disappointed at their failure to close out the game from this position, most credit should go to Portsmouth, who made a couple of impressive substitutions and completely owned the last 25 minutes, playing effectively error-free rugby. The loss of Oatley and Tom Enticknap to injury also disrupted the Islanders, but they found themselves defending for the remainder of the game and this took its toll. Portsmouth reeled the gap in and scored the lead try with ten minutes to go, adding an insurance score towards the end. One last breakaway from the Island’s Rob Wigley threatened to earn a consolation score, but a fine cover tackle ended the attack and brought the game to an end.

On Saturday, both Isle of Wight teams play their last games of 2011 away to local rivals Ventnor.

IW: Wigley, Merry, Oatley, D Gilpin, Enticknap, Warvill, Dalchow, Frost-Jones, Love, Downer, Harrison, Preston, R Wilson, Pugh-Panther, Savill. Replacements: Horton, Leahy.

1sts comfortable win despite penalty count.

IWRFC 60 Romsey 20

A convincing win for the Island but plenty to work on, was the opinion after this return to winning ways in Hampshire 1. Romsey did not make matters easy for themselves as a number of their squad seemed to have gone down with Island Travel Syndrome, but the home side showed little sympathy as they pressured the visitors at every opportunity.

Taking the advantage of created space, the Island attacked and quick recycled ball found Andy White to crash over. Chris Williams adding the kick. With constant pressure on their line, a hopeful clearance kick was turned to Rumsey’s advantage as the Island were penalised for holding on to the re gather. With a quick tap, Romsey scored.

The Island responded with dominating the ball and an inside pass from Neil Brading released Rouse Intelligent Financial Planning Man of the Match George Courtney to power in from half way, Williams again adding the kick.

Domination at the scrum led to turn over ball which Bret Evans snatched on to and scored. Another Brading break had Dan Stirrup in support to score, with the kick added by Williams. With the centres of Peters and Stirrup tackling and holding up their opposite numbers, the ball was stripped and Courtney again showed a clean pair of heels from way out. Rumsey’s only response was to take the three points from a penalty. Ed Lynch then picked up from No. 8 to complete the first half scoring and finish the game as a contest.

The second half was much of a frustrating event as the Island were regularly and at times confusingly penalised. Despite this, from a quick tap, Oli Boulter stormed over, Williams adding the kick. Further penalties caused the Islands defence to lose focus and Romsey took advantage with a score. The response was again to see Boulter drive over to score.

Romsey again took advantage of further penalties to score and convert.

The Island then tightened up their game and Alex Hay added a try. Still not finished, Evans broke out and was supported by Lynch who crossed for his second, Williams adding the kick.

Despite scoring 10 tries, the Island knows there is plenty to work on in preparation for their away game on Saturday against third placed Millbrook.

IWRFC: A White, S Tyson, D Stirrup, W Peters. C Williams, N Brading, B Evans, E Lynch, G Courtney, A Hay, A Thomas, O Boulter, C Clark, M Newnham, I Puzey, G Paisley, C Cotter.

2nds battle to win

IW II  19  Chineham II 10

A tight match at Wootton Rec saw the Isle of Wight seconds return to the top half of the league table with victory over Chineham.

Chineham travelled short, and the Islanders donated them forward Damian Walshe to ensure a competitive game. Walshe went on to impress and was one of Chineham’s best players. Meanwhile, the Island were disrupted early on by the loss of tearaway forward Sam Lock to a back injury after just two minutes, though his replacement Chad Oatley went on to play strongly.

The Island edged the opening quarter, as their forwards competed well, particularly impressing at the scrum and also at the breakdown. Man of the match Colman Cotter marshalled the pack well from scrum-half, as well as making a threatening break which almost led to a try. Eventually, the Island opened the scoring after Tony Lillington made good ground down the left, and when the ball was recycled captain Gary Warvill darted over for an unconverted score.

Chineham improved after this setback, controlling possession and working the Island defence overtime. However, the rearguard stood firm, only yielding a penalty opportunity which was kicked wide. As halftime approached, the Island broke out and set up camp in the Chineham 22. They went through a series of phases, until Brandon Frost-Jones reached out to touch down. Warvill converted and the IW led 12-0 at halftime.

As the second half got under way, the IW looked the likelier to add to their score, but their backline moves often broke down owing to handling errors and lack of cohesion. From one such situation, Chineham kicked through, and when the IW failed to deal with the loose ball the visitors scored their first try.

The game remained scrappy, but Warvill pinned Chineham back with effective tactical kicking, while the pack applied good pressure. After strong work by Rory Wilson and Ali Downer, Warvill sped through a gap to score an important try, which he improved to extend the IW lead. Though Chineham would touch down again with three minutes to go, the Island saw out the remaining minutes in comfort to secure the win.

Tomorrow (Saturday), the Island firsts travel to Millbrook, while the seconds are at Portsmouth.

IW: Merry, Coates, Lillington, Gates, Warvill, Cotter, Frost-Jones, Love, Brine, Downer, R Wilson, Lock, Pugh-Panther, Oatley, Leahy, Walshe.

Out of Cup but Three play for County Presidents.

Hant Gales Plate

Soton Uni Hospitals 90 V Isle of Wight Club 5
 
Fielding an inexperienced side was the downfall of the Island in this Hampshire Gales Plate match. With three players representing Hampshire Presidents and a further eight players resting knocks, it was an opportunity for some second team players to test their metal at a 1^st XV level. Despite full commitment the tactical awareness and fast pace from Southampton University made sure that the Isle of Wight Club team suffered a heavy defeat.

 However, the first 5 minutes was a roller coaster between the two teams. It was Southampton University that capatalised on the mistakes that Isle of Wight produced as they ran in 38 points within 15 minutes.

Points started to come from simple mistakes all over the park. Dominant scrums and strong lineouts from the Isle of Wight could not stop the Medics using their pace and width to score a flurry of tries.

The only points from the game from Isle of Wight came from a well deserved scrum pushed to the tryline and set Dan Stirrup to score underneath the post. Not the required result but players now know what is expected of them as they return to league action this weekend at Home against Romsey and the seconds against Chineham also at home.

Three IWRFC player in Hampshire Presidents XV

On Saturday the IOWRFC was represented in a match between Hampshire Presidents XV and Aldershot and Fleet RFC.  Three Island players; Brett Evans, Dan Taylor and Andrew White, were selected to play for the Hampshire Presidents side which brought together players from clubs across the Hampshire leagues.  The event was in celebration of the opening of Aldershot and Fleet’s new clubhouse and provided the chance for several players from opposing clubs to play on the same team.  

The game itself was played at a frenetic rate and as was to be expected the select Hampshire side took some time to gel. However Hampshire Presidents XV gained momentum as the game went on. With only five minutes of the game left and Aldershot leading by 5 points, Andy White crashed through several defenders to level the scores 24 all. The Island players acquitted themselves admirably throughout the game with Centre Dan Taylor playing out of position at Fly half but expertly marshalling the backs and putting in some devastating tackles. White was the pick of the forwards with several trademark runs, a try and was instrumental in the scrums. Evans brought an injection of pace and aggression into the game at scrumhalf and provided a few big hits himself. The day was an all round success and the draw left both teams satisfied as rugby was definitely the winner of the day.  

Close call for 2s.

IW II  5  Fareham Heathens III  8

The Isle of Wight second string fell just short of toppling league leaders Fareham Heathens at Wootton Rec. In a game short on real quality and skill but high in physicality and endeavour, missed opportunities and errors cost the Islanders dearly.

From the opening stages, it was evident that there would be little to choose between the teams. The visitors had slightly the better of things, putting pressure on the Island scrum and boasting some strong runners, but the Island defence was determined and tight, as it would be for the 80 minutes. When Heathens did threaten, good tackles by Tom Love, Kieran Leahy and man of the match James Curran thwarted them.

On the whole the game was scrappy, both sides struggling with their communication and a greasy ball. The IW found it difficult to string enough phases together to truly test the Heathens defence, but did force a penalty near halfway. Leahy’s effort fell short, and the first quarter ended scoreless. Heathens then won a penalty chance near the 22, and their effort sneaked over via the crossbar to break the deadlock, a score that would prove decisive in the end.

As the first half drew to a close, the IW began to take over, establishing territory and counter-rucking particularly effectively. The impressive Gyles Pugh-Panther and the returning Rory Wilson were prominent in this element of the game, but halftime arrived with the score at 3-0 to the visitors.

Heathens started the second half well, and the Island rearguard were put to the pin of their collar. It seemed that the storm had been weathered, but then the visitors fielded a clearance kick and crossed out wide to establish an 8-0 lead.

Recognising the seriousness of the situation, the IW rallied. Driving into the 22, Tim Coates and Curran were close to scoring, before Love squeezed over from a ruck. Leahy’s conversion was just wide, but the IW were now back to within three.

Possession was about even for the last phase of the game, but the error count climbed and the IW did not make the best use of their share. Their efforts were not helped either by the heated nature of the last ten minutes, as some scuffles broke out and disrupted the flow of the game. Despite the best efforts of replacements Damian Walshe and Richard Simpson, a bitterly disappointed home team did not get the score they sought before the final whistle.

Tomorrow (Saturday) the Island firsts travel to Fordingbridge, while the seconds make their first ever trip to play Lymington Mariners.

IW: Leahy, Coates, Lillington, Curran, Merry, Warvill (c), Harley, Frost-Jones, Love, Scovell, Greedy, Downer, R Wilson, Pugh-Panther, Preston. Subs: Walshe, C Courtney, Simpson.

2nds storm to rousing last gasp win.

IW II  38  Southsea Nomads II  31

The Isle of Wight 2nd team played host to Southsea Nomads and both teams entertained a large crowd in a pulsating encounter.

Playing with the wind in the 1st half the Island opened the scoring with Chris Williams taking advantage of loose ball at the scrum to dart through the defence for a converted try. Gary Warvill’s conversion made the score 7-0. Nomads then proceeded to remind the Island they weren’t going down without a fight with a converted try of their own. The Island struck back immediately with a clever chip over the defence by impressive scrum half Gareth Paisley, which resulted in a lineout where Warvill capitalised with a try shaking off tacklers to score in the corner.

This lead would be short lived as Nomads accepted a soft try, their flanker running through some woeful tackling to score under the posts. The conversion was successful and the Island found themselves behind for the 1st time in the game at 12-14. The score would stay the same as both packs battled for supremacy. Isle of Wight second row Tim Greedy particularly impressed dominating in the lineout, whilst man of the match Jason Corney seemed to be everywhere in the loose. Just as the half time whistle was about to blow, a powerful charge by Richard Crossland resulted in a try to regain the lead at 17-14.

It was in the 2nd half that things really opened up, speedy winger Tim Coates finishing off intricate play to score in the corner. Tries would then be exchanged with Warvill getting his second and slotting over a neat penalty. Coming into the last quarter Nomads scored a converted a try under the posts and suddenly with 7 minutes to go the Island found themselves a point down at 30-31, but they were not to be outdone. Another Warvill penalty and Coates breakaway try would seal victory.

IW: Williams, Merry, G Courtney, Crossland, Coates, Warvill, Paisley, Brine, Love, Clark, Greedy, Corney, Harrison, Pugh-Panther, Preston, D Gilpin, Wright, Newnham, Carter, Evans, Tyson.

Vets edged out at New Milton.

New Milton & District Vets 7 IW Vets 5

In a desperately close encounter in the New Forest, the Isle of Wight veterans side bowed out of the Hampshire Veterans Cup at the quarter-final stage.

The Islanders travelled with a scratch side but almost pulled off what would have been a surprise result. From the off, though there was little between the teams in terms of territory and possession, the IW edged the scrums as the front row of Metcalfe, Lilly and Simpson excelled. Colman Cotter dominated the lineouts, while the midfield defence was watertight as Nick Puckett made an effective return. Captain Neil Brading helped to engineer a couple of line breaks, one of which was supported by Matt Pengelly, who was tap tackled just short of the line. Brading was unable to gather Pengelly’s offload and the best chance of the first half passed. Defences were on top, and scrappy play was the order of the day thanks to numerous handling errors and frequent whistling by the referee. Halftime was signalled with the game still scoreless.

The IW lost impressive flanker Matt Leal to injury, but were confident that victory was within their grasp. This view seemed sound when they broke the deadlock after seven minutes of the second half. Stringing the phases together, they stretched the New Milton rearguard, and when the ball was moved right Andy Puckett galloped over. Crucially, Brading’s conversion was wide in the tricky wind.

It appeared that the IW now could build on this score, but they were caught out by turning the ball over in midfield. New Milton kicked through, recovered the ball and scored beside the posts, converting to take a 7-5 lead.

Now the IW had to chase the game, and as the hosts made a couple of key substitutions, the balance in the forwards swayed. The IW were now struggling to move the ball wide as they had done fruitfully earlier in the game, and despite threatening on occasion, the scoreline remained unchanged to the end of the game.

On Saturday, the Island firsts host New Milton & District, while the seconds entertain Fareham Heathens, both kicking off at 2.30 pm.

IW: Browne, Finn, Pengelly, N Puckett, Harley, N Brading, Craig, Simpson, Lilly, Metcalfe, A Puckett, Jessop, M Leal, Cotter, Tomlinson. Replacements: G Brading, McNamara, Anthony, Lee.