Close call for 2s.
Sunday, December 4, 2011 at 4:18PM 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.
