2nds brave effort at Portsmouth
Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at 6:40PM 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.
