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Mens 2nd XV Match Reports
2006
- 2007
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Date: 11th November 2006
Result: Eastleigh II XV 0pts V's Isle of Wight II XV 17pts |
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The Island seconds delivered their best performance of the season so far, managing a rare clean sheet against strong opposition.
Captain Leahy stressed the importance of a good start, and his team certainly achieved that as they went ten points clear inside as many minutes. Firstly, Gary Warvill sped through a small defensive gap to score, and then Richard Simpson burst through a series of tackles to touch down, both tries set up by Will Peters. Leahy again left his kicking boots at home, missing both conversions. Simpson injured his hamstring in the act of scoring and was forced off, while Eastleigh finally settled down and gained parity in most facets of play, dominating the lineout. It became evident that the teams were well matched, and scoring opportunities became rare and defences held sway, through halftime and into the second half.
Eastleigh now increased the pressure on the Islanders, using the rolling maul to good effect, but across the entire team the visitors repeatedly put their bodies on the line and repelled their attacks. The Island were indebted to debutant Matt Warman for a crucial tackle at the corner flag, while Neil Harrison and man of the match Carl Folkes were among the most prominent. With fifteen minutes to play, the siege was broken and Neil Emerson got the touchdown at the end of a fine forward drive. Warvill added the angled conversion, but Eastleigh were not finished and the Island had to work hard to keep their line intact to the end.
IW: Leahy, Wright, Enticknap, R. Simpson, Finn, Warvill, Peters, Ellis, Warman, Fleming, Lees, Davis, Folkes, Palmer, Williams. Replacements: Emerson, Harrison.
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Date: 21st October 2006
Result: Romsey 2nd XV 49pts V's Isle of Wight 2nd XV 0pts |
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The Island seconds were comprehensively outgunned at Romsey, though heartened by much of their play. It should be remembered that, despite a prematch agreement, Romsey began the game with 15 against 13, and when questioned on this agreed to remove one player. Thus, the Island played 13 against 14 for the duration. This proved costly for the visitors - though playing much of the rugby in the first half, large numbers had to be committed to the ruck to retain possession against a big and proficient Romsey side, and turnovers were ruthlessly punished by numerous overlaps. The Island may have had at least 50% possession and territory, but they trailed 25-0 at the break - the highlight of the first half being a Paul Courage inspired move which saw Matt Drake make 59 of the 60 metres he needed to score.
The beginning of the second half was ominous as Romsey scored two quick tries. However, the Island rangers dug deep and defended gutsily, though pinned in their own half in this period. Man of the match Courage even won a lineout, while first team refugees Andy Woodbridge and Martin Newnham were influential. The eventual loss of Woodbridge, and the concussion of Chris Williams Snr. proved too much for the visitors who conceded two more tries in the last five minutes.
IW: Leahy, Pilkington, Enticknap, Peters, M. Drake, Courage, A. Woodbridge, Ellis, Gardiner, Newnham, Maunder, Davis, Williams Snr
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Date: 14th October 2006
Result: Chineham II XV 19pts V's Isle of Wight II XV 29pts |
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Isle of Wight's second string were successful in North Hampshire in their first league game of the season. A strong line-up were pushed hard by a determined Chineham side and will be encouraged by the performance.
The Island began well and were first to score after 15 minutes, Richard Simpson crashing over after impressive pick and drive play from the forwards. Buoyed by this, the Island were again on the score sheet minutes later, Brett Evans' scintillating 60 metre break setting up another score for Simpson. Despite an opportunistic Chineham converted try in reply and Simpson's failure to ground the ball over the line for his hat-trick, the Island had the last word in the first half as the burly Will Peters barrelled over for a fine score. Kieran Leahy had a wretched first half with the boot, striking both posts with the first conversion attempt and pushing the next two wide, but the Island carried a 15-7 lead into the break.
On the resumption, the Island forwards continued to dominate, with the likes of Chris Williams and man of the match Chris Fleming doing trojan work in the tight. Another score was inevitable and it came when Peters broke through the line and sent Ian Rock racing clear to touch down. Leahy finally found his range with the conversion, and also improved the Island's fifth try scored by the ever dangerous Evans. Now came the Islanders' poorest spell of the match, as they switched off and allowed Chineham to dictate the play, conceding two tries to allow the home side back into the game. However, the Island roused themselves in time to repel the growing onslaught and close out the game.
IW: Enticknap, Rock, Leahy, Peters, Wright, Courage, Evans, Dass, Gardiner, Fleming, Ellis, Davis, Emerson, R. Simpson, Williams.
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Date: 7th October 2006
Result: Isle of Wight 2nd XV 17pts V's Stoneham 24 pts |
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In glorious conditions at Wootton Rec, spectators were treated to an exciting and entertaining tussle between two evenly-matched teams. The visitors travelled short of players and the home side proposed a 13-a-side game, which ensured a fair contest.
The Island were quickly into their stride with the wind in their favour, opening the scoring inside 10 minutes. Strong driving play by John Gascoigne allowed quick ball to be moved wide, where Tom Enticknap drew the defence for Lloyd Collins to score in the left corner. Kieran Leahy was wide with the conversion, and a stung Stoneham responded quickly with two tries, the first of which was converted. Play swung from end to end, before the Islanders scored again in the 40th minute. Man of the match Steve Wiltshire produced the moment of the match, breaking the defensive line, chipping over the cover and regathering for a brilliant individual try. Leahy's conversion heralded halftime and a 12-12 scoreline.
On the resumption, Stoneham's capable fly half kicked effectively and often to establish territorial dominance. After five minutes, the away side set up a lineout catch and drive to score an unconverted try. However, the Island were quick to respond, as Neil Emerson, Wiltshire and Leahy set Matt Drake free to score in the right corner with his first touch. Leahy's conversion attempt to regain the lead drifted wide, and Stoneham were shortly on the front foot with a carbon copy of their previous score, this time converted. The return of Will Peters after a lengthy injury layoff saw the Island's efforts to score an equalising try gain impetus, but despite a final quarter spent almost entirely in the Stoneham half, the score would not come.
IW: Enticknap, Pilkington, Leahy, Wiltshire, M. Drake, Emerson, Martens, Ellis, Gascoigne, Ramsay, Maunder, Reid, Williams, Collins, Peters.
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Date:
2nd September 2006
Result: Isle of Wight 2nd XV 32 pts V's Cheshunt Vets 17 pts |
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The Island second string began their season in convincing style against Cheshunt of Hertfordshire at windy and wet Wootton Rec. A side containing a sprinkling of veterans and first team players allowed the tourists back into the game after a good start, but had enough firepower to close down the game.
Playing with the elements in the first half, the Island were quickly into their stride and slick hands along the backline allowed Captain Kieran Leahy to score out wide after five minutes. Leahy added the conversion to this, and also to the second try, scored by German international and man of the match Richard Dollimore who showed electric pace from fullback to outrun the cover. More impressively reliable handling led to the third try, registered by Nick Puckett. Leahy converted to bring the halftime score to 21-0.
After a number of halftime substitutions by the home side, numerous errors from the emigrating Hemopo, and Cheshunt's turn to play with the strong wind, a comeback of some note began and two unconverted tries created some apprehension among the sizeable audience. The superiority of the home scrum helped to settle nerves, and a spell of pressure led to another typically muscular Puckett try. Neil Brading added the extras, but Cheshunt hit straight back with a converted score to bring the margin back to 11 points. Again the Island roused themselves, replacement Adam Heighway offloading in the tackle for the efficient Brading to cross for the insurance score. The same player's conversion on the final whistle left the final score at 35-17.
IW: Dollimore, Rock, N. Puckett, Hemopo, Leahy, Emerson, Brading, New, Gascoigne, Jennings, Orchard, Newnham, Richie, A. Woodbridge, Williams Snr. Replacements: Taylor, Williams Jnr., Heighway, Palmer, Leal, Lilleystone.
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