1sts comfortable win despite penalty count.
Sunday, December 4, 2011 at 4:28PM 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.
