The Island opened their new Hampshire Division 2 campaign with what eventually turned out to be a comfortable victory. From the off they applied pressure on their visitors with driving forward play and the ball moved rapidly down the three quarters. It was left to a Gareth Paisley penalty to open the scoring after 5 minutes.

After fielding a high ball, James Curran launched an attack, and with quick ruck ball secured, the ball was moved to Nathan Tombleson to charge at the Verwood line and crash over. Paisley added the conversion. The outstanding Lymington Precision Enginering Man of the Match Adam Leal made an outstanding break to set up a scrum close to the visitors line. From this scrum Andy White crashed over, with the conversion added. Keeping on the pressure, the Island continued to attack Verwoods line, but the half ended in farce.

After another 5 meter scrum, Nick Puckett picked up and was held up short. White picked the ball from the ruck and crashed over, the try initially being awarded. An altercation broke out, was halted by the referee and one player from each side harshly given a yellow card. The Island players went back to the half way, ready to receive the ball from the kick off, to see Verwood taking a penalty from their own line after the try was cancelled, all to the ignorance of the Island players.

This seemed to galvanize the home side as the start of the second half saw a rampant Island nearly add to their score from the off. A Neil Brading break, supported by Leal, set up Nick Puckett. Paisley added the kick. At this stage the Island seemed to lose some focus while Verwood upped their play. They gained reward for their continued efforts with an unconverted try. With 10 minutes to go the home side seemed to rediscover their focus as Ian Rock scored after a well worked backs move.

This was followed by a break from half way by Puckett, supported by Leal and finished off by debutante Sandy Wilson. Despite there still being a way to go in the development of the Islands game, this was a pleasing performance. Richard Crossland showed promise in his first outing in the front row, while league debuts were given to Colman Cotter, Anthony Lillington, Ali Gates, Curran and Wilson.

Saturday sees the Island 1st and 2nd XVs visit Ventnor in League and Merit matches.

Squad v Verwood:R Crossland, M Newnham, A Brown, D Church, A Thomas, A White, A Leal, N Puckett, C Cotter, N Brading, I Rock, G Paisley, N Tombleson, J Curran, A Gates, A Lillington, S Wilson, D Metcalfe.