Mens 1st XV Match Reports
2004
- 2005
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Date: Saturday 2nd April 2005
Result:Isle of Wight 12pts V's Nomads 8pts |
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Island Safe in Hants 1st Division
So finally we can enjoy a game of rugby. Not this one obviously but next weeks now that we are safe from relegation. This one was the usual bad start, off the pace and three points down very quickly, the usual fight back and usual tension all over the place.
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Animal Simpson and baby Simmo were both in the starting line up again but clearly Clintons had a word and neither added to their collection of cards this year. The pack gradually started to dominate the scrums, although not before Lucy needed a lie down to recover from a hit. Good to see the sympathy of the team was with him, all off in a huddle while he complains of a headache. Anyway he recovered to drive the ball up, see it be recycled and then go wide for Browne to glide over in the corner to give the IOW the half time lead. The lineout was more problematic with Simmo having Sawlies earlier game difficulties with the wind that blew mostly when we threw. Courage and Emerson both kicked well from hand but the new moves seemed to lack a little in execution. I can’t recall the objective of them being explained as ending up 20 metres behind the scrum without the ball but then I wasn’t really listening. Other highlights of the half were the excellent covering of the front row to take high balls in the 22, no mention of startled rabbits in headlights please, and a ref who managed to ignore Abel throwing toys out of the pram.
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The second half was again played in Nomads half but we either gave away penalties at the breakdown, hands up the forwards or ran away from the support and got turned over, hands up S Boulter. There were too many visits to their 22 without points being accumulated to allow nerves to be calmed and it took a moment of vision, quick feet and sublime handling skills to put Browne away in midfield. His break was so slow that Andy Puckett could get up in support but the move was only halted by a penalty. Hempopo tapped quickly to send Animal Simpson crashing over from vast distance with numerous Nomads scattered in his wake. White converted to give much-needed breathing space. Attempts to increase the lead failed miserably, with Courage’s drop goal attempt failing to even get over his head height and the IOW then conceded yet another blind side try. This however was not Sawlies fault, he was number 8 at the time and anyway has a note from his mum excusing blind side defensive duties.
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Debutant Mark (Matt) Allen performed well in the second half and the IOW doomed Nomads to relegation, compounding their misery by making Animal Simpson man of the match. Oh yeah, Will came on second half.
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Team White, Dollimore, Emmerson, Hempopo, Browne, Courage, Brading, Cole, R Simpson, Lucy, Puckett, P Simpson, Sawle, Boulter, Abel. Res Allen, Pattinson, Peters
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Date: Saturday
Result:Isle of Wight 25pts V's Farnborough 20 |
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Fortress Wootton Holds
Now I can’t decide if this ref has never met Sawlie so didn’t know about the whole pocket thing, or had met him and was getting his retaliation in early but the IOW certainly got to learn a few new laws in the opening 10 minutes of this game. Kick off, whistle goes, we are penalised and the pattern is set. A somewhat bemused IOW met twice behind the posts to share their new knowledge as the opposition kick a penalty and then convert a try after poor defence, presumably we were too scared of giving away a penalty to tackle the man. Still at least the meetings gave time to sort out the important issues, like the sweepstake on which Simpson would be first to be sin binned.
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Notwithstanding the poor start the IOW gradually worked their way into the game. The lineout practice clearly paid off with both Abel and Puckett securing their own ball and disrupting Farnborough’s complicated short lineouts. There was good back play, although to me this is when they manage to catch it and make ground, and the IOW gained territorial advantage.
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The first mention of a Simpson is not for a transgression but for a darting run from Richard from a ruck in the oppositions 22. Realising he was going sideways, Hempopo gave him an angle for a pop pass and took it to cut back for the score. Courage converted and added two penalties as constant IOW pressure was converted into points. With half time approaching the first half sweep stake ticket holders were concerned but Richard Simpson then lived up to expectation and was sent to the bin for a stamp. The mercurial Sawle stepped up to the front row yet again and the IOW got to the break without conceding, despite the man short.
The second half continued with the IOW enjoying good territory and possession. The introduction of a French prop for the opposition livened up the forward play. His knee drop on Lucy was spotted and he had 10 minutes behind the posts. Lucy escaped punishment for his retaliation, mostly because he missed. Taylor bulldozed his way over, dragging two tacklers with him to score under the posts to make an easy conversion before Paul Simpson decided get in on the action. Fortunately it was with a good drive setting up the best try of the game, rather than adding to his card collection. When the ball was recycled a loop from Courage created an overlap out wide, which Dollimore finished with his usual style. The IOW then went into the usual 1 minute to go routine which involves being unable to clear their lines, coughing up possession and penalties to concede 10 points but hung on to take the first step to securing league 1 status for next year.
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Team Emerson, Dollimore, Taylor, Hempopo, Browne, Courage, Brading, Cole, R Simpson, Lucy, Puckett, P Simpson, Sawle, S Boulter, Abel Res: Peters, O Boulter, Patterson
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Date: Saturday 26th February 2005
Result: New Milton 32pts V's Isle of Wight 11pts |
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Poor performance leaves Island in Religation Scrap
Another poor performance leaves the IOW in the middle of the scrap to avoid relegation. Back to the usual habits of not having time for a proper warm up led to another slow start and early pressure for the home team, although the pack did at least catch the kick off. This pressure led to a penalty for New Milton.The pack had a look of experience about it, some may describe it as old, but once the aching limbs got going the game was taken into New Milton territory. The usual hard running of Taylor, Hempopo and White made inroads with any ball spun out, although the support was often slow to get to the breakdown. Two penalties for White seemed good reward for the territory gained but the lack of ability to create try scoring opportunities was to cost the IOW later. The old men then created the IOW’s only try. From an attacking scrum which wheeled, Pattinson (yes I know I spelt your name wrong in the paper) picked up to dive over from close range. The lead couldn’t be protected until half time as driving play for the home team led to an unconverted try.
This game was one of confidence. If we had scored next, New Milton would have folded as they had in previous weeks. However, we didn’t, they did and simply grew into the game. Offloads in the tackle went to hand, first up tackles were broken and generally what could go right did. By contrast the IOW seemed to accept that defeat was inevitable as three tries were conceded. Passes didn’t go to hand and discipline, both to the ref and each other went out the window. Notable exceptions go to men (!) of the match Hempopo and White. The team needs some of their pride in the IWRFC to get us through the next couple of games.
Team: White, Peters, Taylor, Hempopo, Dollymore, Emmerson, Brading, Sawle, Pattinson, S. Boulter, Simpson, Puckett, Cole, Lucy, O.Boulter. Res: R.Simpson, Courage, Lees.
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Date: Saturday 19th February 2005
Result: Isle of Wight 13pts V's Trojans 18pts |
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Timid Island fail to perform
To be fair Trojans players weren’t smug, not sure about their supporters though. The IOW managed to be gracious in defeat, just, as long as no one mentioned the ref.
This was a game where the IOW seemed a bit nervous and played accordingly. We put ourselves under pressure early on by poor execution and even worse decision making but still looked the more likely to score. The defence was solid in the first half; with Taylor and Hempopo their usual unforgiving selves and even Moose trying this strange technique of tackling round the legs. Although we played a lot of the time in our 22, the breakouts were effective. Two of these led to Trojans killing the ball under pressure in their 22 and White slotting the resulting penalties.
The scrum was under pressure for a lot of the game with Trojans adept at wheeling. Sawlie did take 2 against the head, so claims a moral victory but we did not scrummage at our best. Our lineout was better; Moose opened his eyes and found catching the ball much easier, and Puckett leapt like a salmon. The breakdown became increasingly difficult. Our own ball wasn’t well protected and we then conceded a stream of penalties in defence, not all of them S Boulter’s fault. One penalty was kicked to cut the lead but we were still heavily penalised, leading to Emmerson receiving a yellow card. It just shows how much we lost a ref that he binned a fly half for persistent infringement, they normally get away with anything. It was a good job Trojans second row decided to get his handbag out to even up the numbers and join Emmerson behind the posts.
For 10 minutes either side of half time there were no scrums so the man advantage in the pack wasn’t utilised. However the hole in the defence in the backs was exploited by the Trojans centre to cut back through traffic, none of which obstructed tacklers obviously, to score the first try. A penalty then followed to increase the visitor’s lead. Tempers continued to flare with both teams receiving warnings. At times like these you need cool heads, failing that bring on Simpson and hope the ref doesn’t notice. He did and 10 minutes later the IOW were down to 14 men. It was a harsh decision, given what else went on but was on the cards. Trojans then added a second try from a lineout to leave the IOW chasing the game.
Sawlie he claims he talked the ref round and penalties and then a second sin bin for Trojans followed. A slightly more cynical view is that we got so annoyed that we stopped being nervous, gave Trojans no respect and went for them. Dollimore stopped kicking badly and looked dangerous in attack. Emmerson’s rest had clearly done his distribution good and Brown and Brading both went close. However the only try came with the last playoff the game with White barrelling over and converting his own try. So close but for another year not enough. And the last time Sandown will be cheering for us.
Team: White, Peters, Taylor, Hempopo, Dollimore, Emmerson, Brading, Cole, Sawle, Lucy,O Boulter, Puckett, Debicki, S Boulter, Abel, subs Browne, Simpson, Courage.
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Date: Saturday 29th January 2005
Result:Isle of Wight 50pts V's Southampton II 0pts |
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Cunningham speechless - Well Nearly!!
So which will the better friendly game, play Southampton II, get some continuity, score loads and get a feel good factor or play Southampton I, get beaten and tell the press you were experimenting and it was mostly a second team. Tune in next week to find out. Anyway…
A game of good support play, committed play at the rucks and mauls, forwards driving in numbers, good running lines, and exceptional scummaging (well I do write the report) left even coach Cunningham with little to criticise, and almost speechless, a first. Andy Puckett’s believe he is a winger paid dividend for the first try out wide, although all the other forwards who actually went to the breakdown to secure the ball might feel a bit aggrieved. Dollimore went over in the same corner, almost despite not because of the pass from Emmerson. His second and 50th senior try (he asked me to mention it) was due to the brilliant pass from a ruck and Hempopo’s blind side break. White found his kicking boots and converted. White then cut back on the angle from a set move to barrel over in his customary manner and converted this as well to give the IOW a 24 nil half time lead. The only concern had been the high adverse penalty count at the breakdown. However this was resolved when Simon Boulter was left poleaxed and had to leave the field.
In the second half the front row of Cole, mercurial Sawle and Lucy stepped up the pressure to take several against the head and control the scrum. Lineouts proved more problematic, down to the poor weather and nothing else, and no one will say otherwise. Despite this opportunities were created. Emmerson ghosted through under the posts and replacement flanker Marks danced through their entire pack to score. Some chances did go begging with the fly half deliberately throwing a bad pass to prevent a front row scoring and veteran Woodbidge knocking on his first pass with the line at his mercy but fortunately Browne found the one person in Hampshire who hadn’t seen his dummy kick and run move to add a further try with his marker on the ground and team mate trying not to laugh and Woody made up for it by finishing another flowing move. White added three conversions to bring up the half century and the ref blew early to bring matters to a satisfactory end. Also pleasing was the nil against scoreline, with Abel, Hepopo and Taylor reminding everyone how to tackle. Peters was man of the match, presumably for his excellent second half performance against us. Now front rows aren’t bitter but what else would you like us to do to an opposition scrum before we get any thanks.
Team : White, Peters, Taylor, Hempopo, Dollimore, Emmerson, Brading, Cole, Sawle, Lucy,O Boulter, Puckett, Debicki, S Boulter, Abel, subs Browne, Marks, Woodbridge.
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Date: Saturday 29th January 2005
Result: Fareham Heathens 8pts V's Isle of Wight 10pts |
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Passionate Second Half Surge propels Island to Third in League
There are clearly two schools of thought on the best way to prepare for a league game of rugby. 1. Be out on the pitch for over an hour before kick off working up a sweat and then knock doors off hinges. 2 Cancel the bus and have a train ride and then a walk, because “we always do and it’s nice…” Well its seems the second is the best as the IOW completed the double over Fareham Heathens this year. Now obviously Fareham are a well-drilled side but do they have to be so loud. Honestly all that team shouting at each set piece gave me a real headache by the end.
The IOW less than impressive start to games continued. The kick off wasn’t adequately secured, the ball ended up in our 22 and we are penalised, not too sure why and go three points down. The first half was played into the elements and was spent soaking up the hyped up home team’s pressure. Sawlies threat of naming and shaming missed tackles seemed to work as big hits were made all round, notably by debutant Taylor, who fitted in well in the altitudally challenged back line. Three more and Snow White has a full set. However when from a scrum in midfield Fareham broke down the blind side and scored a try wide out which went unconverted, little was mentioned about the tackle. Don’t know why.
Despite turning round 8 points down, the IOW felt confident that points would come. The scrum started to exert pressure and the back row carried the ball well into contact. Sawlie renewed his acquaintance with the ref, who binned him at Arlesford and continued the friendly chat that all refs love. Hempopo and Taylor made more half breaks and the threat of points was always there. The first try came from a Fareham scrum on their own line. Big efforts from props Dass and Lucy led to the scrum going back, the ball squirting out and Debicki scooping it up to drive over the line. The second from a 40 metre break from skipper Brading. Realising his lack of pace he kicked ahead. Although Fareham gathered the ball, Sawlie was up to block the clearance kick and it fell to Brading to put the IOW ahead. Both conversions were missed. The shouting seemed to have taken a lot out of the home team as the IOW continued to look most likely to add to the score, with Dollimore and sub White looking dangerous on the heavy pitch.
The IOW still managed to give the opposition a chance with a last minute penalty but as this slid wide, the game slid away from Fareham. Gracious as ever in victory, the IOW found it difficult to talk to the opposition as so few seemed to make to the bar. Unlike last year. But like last year all 15 of the winning team were man of the match for showing some passion and pride to move up to third.
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Date: Saturday 22nd January 2005
Result: Isle of Wight 15pts V's Millbrook 16pts |
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What to say. No tries, no passion, no commitment, no tackles, no victory.
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Date: Saturday 8th January 2005
Result: Alresford 12pts V's Isle of Wight 23pts |
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Island Start Year on Right Foot
It was clear who had eaten all the Christmas pies as the IOW took a large pack to the countryside. What was also clear was that no one, the coach driver included, had got a road atlas for Christmas as the IOW again struggled to make a kick off time. The usual ambling warm up seemed to have an effect as good pressure from Patterson from the kick off led to a penalty, kicked by Courage. However the IOW’s plan to keep the ball away from the big home team pack immediately unravelled as a dropped pass out wide let in a soft try. The two packs slugged it out, quite literally for their open side, and the game threatened to get very physical at times as both packs struggled for domination. Courage constantly harried his opposite number into mistakes and from one of these Hempopo intercepted a pass to go half the length of the pitch.
For the home game Alresford had shown how to lose a ref. The IOW decided to return the favour and a constant stream of penalties then prevented any continuity. Sawlie started one of his now infamous, in my back pocket “can I have a word sir…” running commentaries which ended up 10 minutes later with him trudging off to the sin bin, not sure what he had done. Without his power the pack conceded a pushover try and trailed at half time.
The second half did show some improvement as the lineout work of Puckett and the drives of Dass and Bartlett started to make inroads and possession was retained for more than one phase at last. Courage added another penalty and from a period of sustained pressure finally crossed the line in the corner. The ref upgraded it to a penalty try and Courage converted. The home team now suffered the wrath of the ref and after numerous subtle and unsubtle late hits and punches, their open side was sent to the bin for a bit of quiet thinking and reflection.
The loss of veteran Lucy through injury led to the front row getting even bigger, step forward Sawlie, and the back row being a bit less one paced, step up Debicki. He added to the adverse penalty count, two lineouts, two against but also added the settling third try after a catch and drive off Puckett’s lineout take.
At least it was a win but coach Cunningham, despite him being in happy holiday mood, was left reflecting if perhaps 5 props in a pack at one time effected mobility just a little bit. Personally I don’t think it did!
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Date: Saturday 4th December 2004
Result: Isle of Wight 10pts V's Sandown & Shanklin 13pts |
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Report Pending
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Date: Saturday 4th December 2004
Result: Nomads RFC 44pts V's Isle of Wight 15pts |
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Nomads Christmas Comes Early
Nomad’s Christmas came early as the IOW demonstrated how not to compete in a rugby match. First of all only take a squad of 15 players, some of whom are being introduced in the warm up. Next have two players miss the ferry and not arrive until 30 minutes in. Finally don’t check where the ground is so there is mystery tour of Pompey and everyone is late. Apart from that, a perfect example of preparation.
All this takes nothing away from Nomads, who played extremely well. Virtually everything they tried came off and tries were scored, often from distance, with regularity. Resistance was token and in the first half the only points for the IOW came from Cunningham’s boot. Yes that’s how desperate team selection was.
The arrival of reinforcement didn’t in truth add much. Tackles were missed and there was little competition for the lose ball. The only area of domination was the scrum but even this typified the bad day all round. With the pack pushing the opposition over the try line the ball was lost at the base of the scrum. For the next put in, it was lost against the head.
Dollimore outstripped the wide defence for a brief moment of defiance and touched down under the posts. Courage converted. He then broke to allow the other latecomer, Browne, to score the other IOW try. However the loss by Moose in the connect 4 chalange after the game left this as a day to forget all round.
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Date: Sunday 28th November 2004
Result: Southampton Uni 52pts V's Isle of Wight 10pts |
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Report Pending
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Date: Saturday 20th November 2004
Result: Isle of Wight 10pts V's U.S. Portsmouth 5pts |
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Services no match for power of IOW
The bitterly cold wet conditions were not enough to cool the improved passion and commitment against a well-drilled and big US Portsmouth team. Yet another visiting team put the IOW to shame by turning up early and running through a multitude of warm up drills but from the kick off the IOW returned to the early season form of driving forward play and good handling from the backs. The pack, given a touch more steel by the presence of Simpson, initially had difficulty with a big front row but with injuries taking their toll, Boulter, Lucy and the mercurial Sawle ended the game totally dominating the scrum. Captain Brading moved to scrum half to allow the dwarves to reunite in midfield and had a good game. He controlled play well and was unlucky not to be given the score when charging down a clearance kick.
The IOW were put under a lot of pressure for the first 10 minutes but held firm with big hits protecting the line. A particularly pleasing one was from winger Dollimore on a very big hooker to prevent a certain score and Hempopo provided his usual blend of skill and sheer brutality in defence. The game then turned round with the IOW achieving good territory and possession. The first score came from S Boulter’s good work at the breakdown. The ball was transferred wide and Peters did well to crash through tacklers and go over in the corner. White was unable to add the extras and both teams kickers had a day to forget with the boot with no successful attempts all game. The IOW second try came from the other wing Dollimore outpacing the wide defence, again after good handling throughout. However the IOW didn’t capitalise from all the possession and shortly before halftime the big runners of US took their toll and an unconverted try was conceded.
The second half was end-to-end stuff but with the IOW having the better chances to extend the lead. There were a number of forward charges when the backs were screaming for the ball. The honesty of touch judge Woodbridge prevented Dollimore from adding a further score when tackled as he put the ball down. In defence Patterson and Courage tackled the big men who constantly came their way and the IOW preserved their lead to come out as deserved winners.
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Date: Saturday 11th November 2004
Result: Sandown & Shanklin RFC 16pts V's Isle of Wight 3pts |
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Island fail to find Passion and Commitment
Smug grins of previous weeks were put firmly away as the first boasting rights of the season went to Sandown in a typical derby game. Despite the introduction of a young fresh-faced Mr New into the front row, the Island failed to find the commitment and passion needed to compete. On a day for big hearts the island would have to accept they were mostly found wanting.
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A first half of almost equal possession, territory and frankly mediocrity was drifting to a scoreless conclusion when from a tapped penalty poor tackling allowed a Sandown centre to crash over. The conversion left the IOW 7 nil down and facing a distinctly unhappy Coach at half time.
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Matters didn’t improve however, the day being summed up when two restarts were allowed to bounce into the hands of the opposition, rather than being secured. The set pieces struggled and what ball was won was poorly used. Back moves tended to get knocked down early and forwards drove the ball up without support, both causing the ball to be turned over. The IOW’s only points came from the boot of White and were not enough to spark any revival. Three penalties to Sandown were probably a fair reflection on the game. Mention should be made of Hempopo, who obviously being a local did at least try to fight Sandown on his own, and Sawle, who sacrificed himself to several shoeings, which led to the only moment of teamwork as all players joined in the aftermath. The rest need a long hard look at themselves before the return game in 4 weeks.
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Date: Saturday 30th October 2004
Result: Isle of Wight 38pts V's Alresford 5pts |
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"Island Maintian Presure on Hants 1 Summit"
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“I have a dream…” said coach Cunningham. And so it came to pass that the IOW entered the promised land of playing a wide game and Alresford would be the victims of a six try beating. However like all true visionaries the coach was initially viewed with mistrust by all, forwards who thought it took the fun out of things and backs, who just couldn’t catch and pass.
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A very competitive visiting pack made life difficult for the IOW front row, despite its very beefy appearance! However after a pep talk from skipper Brading a steady supply of ball led to numerous chances being created out wide. Tries from Emerson, supporting a good break from Dollimore, Puckett twice and White’s barrel to the line were just reward for the improved handling. Puckett’s tactic of standing next to his opposite number to pick off any Alresford possession prevented any real threat to the IOW defence.
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Alresford then gave a lesson in losing a referee that even Sawlie would have to admire. Their dissent led to a try being disallowed, a stream of penalties and finally a player sent to the bin. The IOW practised their best smug grins to add to the joy of their opponents but did then conceded a try from close range.
This did spur the IOW to further effort. a N Puckett interception led to Boulter showing his fitness to get in support to finish off an 80 metre move. Second row Lees found himself in the usual position of having the ball in hand in the opponents 22. Recovering from the shock of this he remembered to amble over the line. White added 4 conversions and the result keeps the IOW firmly in the chasing pack behind Trojans.
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Date: Saturday 23rd October 2004
Result: Millbrook 5pts V's Isle of Wight 7pts |
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Island win in difficult conditions
The IOW can be pleased with the result, if not the performance, of a game played in very poor conditions. With 4 players missing from the pack, and wet and blustery conditions, the IOW struggled to secure ball and couldn’t impose their intention to play a wide game. The poor start led to the IOW being contained deep in their own half for much of the opening exchanges and conceding a try out wide. Crucially the conversion was missed.
The IOW suffered a further blow when prop Boulter was injured and Sawle has to take his now customary place in the front row. However replacement Lees improved the lineout and gave the IOW backs the chance to make ground with some hard running. N Puckett and White were particularly effective in the heavy conditions. Gradually the IOW gained possession and territory and after a number of forward drives second row A Puckett crashed over near the posts to level the score. White converted and the IOW ended the half with the expectation of further scores.
Despite having the better of conditions in the second half the IOW failed to dominate and at times solid defending from the back row was needed to preserve the lead. Passes were difficult for both sides to hold on to and as the number of scrums mounted, it became clear that there would be no further scores. The IOW trudged off muddy but content with the two points.
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Date: Saturday 9th October 2004
Result: Isle of Wight 13pts V's Fareham Heathens 10pts |
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Island Continue to Improve
The Islands improved results for the season continued against a well-drilled and clearly committed Fareham team. Any team that arrives at fortress Wootton and is warming up like they meant it well before the home squad amble up is clearly up for it. And so it proved as the IOW played with the elements in the first half. However it didn’t take long for even the densest forward to realise that Fareham plan of constantly attacking the blind side wouldn’t be varied and the tackles soon piled in. The IOW pack won a lot of ball but poor decisions in the opponents 22 and the back line not functioning as usual meant that points were not taken. White scored his usual penalty and then Abel drove over from the only good attacking maul. It was a rare occasion of the IOW using their brains rather than brawn.
The IOW improved in the second half with tighter driving play making ground and using up the clock. The mercurial man of the match Sawle led by example putting his body on the line and then in the front row. Fareham constantly killed the ball and had two men sent to the bin. Despite this the IOW couldn’t capitalise and only had a further White penalty to show for it. Fareham kicked a penalty when unsurprisingly open side Boulter was offside. With the IOW waiting for the final whistle concentration lapsed and Fareham cut through for a converted try.
The IOW celebrations were muted as they know they can play better. At least they didn’t receive the somewhat abrasive debrief given by the Fareham coach to his beaten troops.
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Date: Saturday
2nd October 2004
Result: Trojans 26pts V's Isle
of Wight 22pts |
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Island run out of time at
Trojans
Subtle
encouragement from the management on the
club’s website was not enough to
inspire the islanders to victory against
the league leaders, but it came close.
With the wise words of skipper Lucy ringing
in their ears, the IOW set the early pace
but couldn’t capitalise on possession.
A catch and drive from the home team from
their first trip to the IOW 22 led to an
unconverted try. The IOW struck back in
style with a multi phased move ending in
White crashing over and even begrudging
applause from the home crowd. White converted
for the lead. However poor concentration
led to two soft tries being conceded prior
to half time.
The
second half started in similar form with
weak tackling allowing the Trojans centre
through to extend the lead to 26-7. From
then on, the IOW showed real commitment and
camped in Trojans 22. Points came from the
boot of White, a close range try from S Bolter and man of the match Nick Puckett storming
his way over in the corner. However time
ran out and a relieved Trojans celebrated
the final whistle. The IOW took a lot from
the game and eagerly await the return fixture.
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Date: Saturday 25th September 2004
Result: Isle of Wight V's New
Milton |
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Island go back to basics
After a poor start to the league, it was time for the IOW to go back to basics to secure their first league points. Full blooded tackling, powerful running and committed support play were the team’s response to the skipper’s request for a bit of heart. New Milton were blown off the pitch and didn’t touch the ball for the first 10 minutes. White ended one move with his trademark barrelling run for a try and prop Dass added a second from a good metre out. The only response from the visitors was a penalty. Numerous chances were created by the IOW with flying winger Dollimore halted twice by late calls for forward passes, whilst the IOW pack competed for every loose ball. Man of the match Dibicki caused problems with his unique style of running. Despite all this the only points of the second half were the exchange of penalties and a team try, scored by the other prop, Cole, from a catch and drive lineout.
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Date:
Saturday 18th September
Result: Worth
Old Boys V's Isle of Wight |
Report
Pending
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Date: Saturday
11th September 2004
Result: Farnborough V's Isle
of Wight |
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Report
Pending
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Date: Saturday
4th September 2004
Result: Isle of Wight V's Fawley |
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Report
Pending
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