Mens 1st XV Match Reports for 2003/2004
Season
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 |
Date: Saturday
17rd April 2004
Result:
Guernsey V's Isle of Wight
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Report
Pending
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Date: Saturday
3rd April 2004
Result:
Isle of Wight 15pts V's New
Milton 19pts |
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ISLAND
SNATCH LOSS FROM MOUTH OF VICTORY
Focus
for the whole 80 minutes was shown to
be vital, as the Island allowed a 10
point lead to disappear in the last
8 minutes of their last home league
game of the season.
This
outcome did not seem likely as early
Island driving pressure resulted in
an Andy White penalty.
The home side continued to pressure
the visitor’s line, but the next
score came from one of their rare first
half sorties into the home 22. With
the Island having to touch down behind
their own posts, New Milton picked up
and went blind from the scrum, to put
away their right wing.
The
home side stepped up their play and
from a loose ball in New Milton’s
22, Hemopo picked,
jinked and fed Puckett
for Richard Dollimore
to score.
The
Islanders continued in the second half,
as they had finished the first. A kick
over the defence by Brading
was picked up by Dollimore,
after the visiting fullback pulled up
with a hamstring injury, for a score
under the posts. White added the conversion.
The
Island then seemed to sit back on this
10 point lead, only to be undone with
two similar tries, as the visitors moved
ball wide and rounded the home defence
to score and convert, the second of
these right on the final whistle to
pinch the game.
Although
promotion is now out of reach, the Island
can still have a say in who wins the
title as they visit Guernsey in a weeks
time, with a win guaranteeing third
place.
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Date: Saturday
13th March 2004
Result:
Trojans 44pts V’s Isle
of Wight 7pts |
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ISLAND
LOSE OUT ON PROMOTION CHANCE
This
was the game when the Islanders found
out exactly what it will take to gain
promotion as they came off second best
to promotion challengers Trojans. This
vital game was affected by the wind
blowing the length of the Trojans ground,
and the home side opted to play with
the wind first half.
The
Island approached the game in an optimistic
mood and set about the task of driving
Trojans back towards their line. However
Trojans had done their defensive work
and tackled tirelessly, if sometimes
playing the referee well, to prevent
the Islands heavier pack from taking
advantage.
Trojans
kicking long, using the elements, lead
to a scrum some 15 meters out for their
scrum half to break blind to score.
This was soon followed by another kick
bouncing straight into the homesters
arms, with ball moved wide, Trojans
winger added their second and converted
try.
The
Island continued to drive into Trojans
22, but were let down with the final
ball or through errors. Yet it was a
Trojans penalty that was next to register.
This seemed to give the home side heart
and led to their driving play before
ball moved again led to a try.
From
deep, after the Island lost the ball,
Trojans winger chipped and collected
to score under the posts, with the conversion
added. But the visitors were determined
to feature on the score board before
half time and were three times awarded
penalties for hands in the ruck or collapsing.
Quite how none went to the sin bin was
a mystery.
Despite
turning round 27-0 down, the conditions
at their back meant the Island were
still in the game. They constantly pressured
the Trojans line only to be thwarted
at the last.
Then
the strange sin binning of Paul
Simpson, much to the amazement
of many, lead to the turning point of
the half, and ultimately the end of
the game. With the Island driving deep
into the Trojans half, the referee awarded
a penalty for holding on, with Simpson
protecting his face with his arms. Trojans
cleared for a lineout and scored from
this. The blow could be seen in the
body language of the Islanders.
Trojans
stepped up against the 14 Islanders
and ran the ball at every opportunity.
This play lead to two further scores.
However the Islanders showed character
to round off the game with a converted
try. Emerson fed Nick
Puckett who shimmied and charged
over. Pride was now all that was left
and this came through when Dollimore
was denied in the dying moments.
With
two league games left, the Island now
need other teams to gain results against
the top two to stand any chance of promotion.
However disappointed at the likelihood
of finishing third, it should be remembered
that as they only gained promotion back
to Hampshire one last year and they
can use this season as a stepping block
for future success.
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Date: Saturday
6th March 2004
Result:
Ventnor 9 V's Isle of Wight
13 |
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ISLAND
WIN THROUGH WITH WORST PERFORMANCE OF
YEAR
Local
derby’s have no respect for league
positions, as this confrontation showed.
Ventnor were first out of the blocks,
pressurising the Island in their own
22. Wide ball saw the home sides Paul
Rutledge round the Islands
defence to score, only for the referee
to pull the play back for a lineout,
after a late call and heated dispute
of a foot in touch. This raised the
Ventnor play and driving mauls pulled
the Island offside for Dave
Martin to kick the penalty.
Ventnor continued to press, but strong
defensive tackling allowed Nick
Puckett to break from his 22.
With the ball shipped to Jon
Moorse on half way, the young
winger left all for dead to score under
the posts. Andy White
added the conversion.Martin
then added a second penalty to leave
the home side one point down at the
break.
The
Island upped their play at the start
of the second half, but both sides seemed
a little confused with some decisions.
This uncertainty affected both sides,
as constructive rugby was little in
evidence. It was another drive by Ventnor
that lead to a third Martin
penalty, and the lead. A Neil
Brading break from a half way
scrummage set up a ruck in the Ventnor
22 for the home side to be penalised
and White adding the
penalty. White added
another penalty to see the Island home.
Ventnor
can be pleased with their performance,
if a little frustrated with the result.
The Island will need to up their game
for the crucial league match against
Trojans, but would be pleased with the
performances of youngsters Jon
Moorse and Blake Samson.
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Date: Saturday
28th February 2004
Result:
Isle of Wight 14pts V's Nomads
14pts |
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NOMADS
ALMOST CAUSE ISLAND UPSET
This
was always going to be a difficult game
if the Island side did not focus fully
against a team lying second in division
two, and so it proved. Early pressure
was all from the home side and a tapped
penalty in their own 22 saw Nick
Puckett storm up the pitch.
With quick ball won, the ball was moved
blind for Neil Brading
to score. Andy White added
the conversion. Line out ball was then
won outside the Nomads 22 for stand
off Paul Courage to
break inside. From the ruck the ball
was taken up by Ben Rouse,
who with a charging crashing run from
some 20 meters out, steamed over for
a try, with White converting.
Nomads then lost a front rower, causing
the scrums to go unopposed. This was
followed shortly when Brading,
at a lineout, had his legs kicked away.
Angry reaction to this saw Rouse
receiving marching orders and a sin
binning for the offender. From this
moment The Island seemed to switch off
and go through the motions.
There
second half saw a Nomads revival. A
kick into a Nomads Centres hands, saw
him run through two half hearted tackles
to score, with the conversion added.
Again poor selection of running from
their own 22 saw the Island spill ball
and Nomads punished with a converted
try to tie the scores. Nomads had a
45 metre kick at goal to win the game,
but this fell short. Richard
Dollimore was outstanding in
defence and debutante Matt Debicki
received the man of the match
award for an impressive first outing.
Saturday
sees the Island take on Ventnor at Watcombe
Bottom, kick off 2pm.
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Date: Saturday
21st February 2004
Result:
Isle of Wight V's Fawley Void
Game) |
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Fawley
call off game and give Island points.
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Date: Saturday
7th February 2004
Result:
Isle of Wight 3pts vs. Guernsey 15
pts |
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With
the top two in Hampshire Division One
meeting at Wootton Rec, this was always
going to be a tense game, with the likelihood
of errors being the telling factor.
And so it turned out, with the game
decided on two events.
Early
home pressure had the Island side camped
in the Guernsey half, with ball moved
wide a constant threat. Forward driving
lead to a penalty in front of the visitors
posts. Andy White converted.
The Island side continued to pressure
the Guernsey line, but were unable to
add to their score. This inability to
kill off their opposition was to cost
later.
Guernsey
showed why they lead the division, with
renewed pressure on the home side. The
loss of Hemopo was
a double blow, as Guernsey took advantage
of brief disarray in the home defence.
The ball was moved left for Jim
Elliott to score.
The
second telling event occurred prior
to the half time whistle. With the ball
in their control on Guernsey’s
10 meter line, the decision was to kick
blind. Unfortunately wing Dollimore
was down injured. The ball
was collected by Andy Bailey
for him to race 50 yards to the Islands
line. Alexander Bailey
added the conversion for a half time
12 to 3 lead to the visitors.
Both
sides waded into the second half with
determination, but it was the visitors
who added to their score with a penalty.
The Island responded, but were let down
by their kicking game. Late pressure
resulted in Guernsey 8 receiving a yellow
card, but even this advantage was not
capitalised on. With time running out
the Island rushed their passes and spilled
ball.
Guernsey’s
celebrations at the final whistle showed
the importance of this win as they now
go three points clear at the top.
This
Saturday the Island visits Eastleigh
and need to get back to winning ways.
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Date: Saturday
31st January 2004
Result:.
Isle of Wight 19pts vs. Milbrooke
5pts |
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Following
last weeks league clean sweep over Island
rivals Sandown, the Isle of Wight faced
a tough home fixture against Milbrooke,
to maintain their second place in the
Powergen Hampshire Division one.
With
a wet ground and a strong wind blowing
the length of the pitch, the Islanders
chose to play into the conditions. This
appeared to be a dubious decision, as
Milbrooke firstly pinned the home side
down and scored going blind from a 5-meter
scrum.
But
this was to be one of the Islands impressive
halves, as they worked to close the
game out in the first half. Driving
forward play was greatly helped with
the home scrum gradually dominating.
Several breakouts, with excellent handling
displayed, almost lead to tries, with
only last ditch Millbrooke defence preventing
the inevitable. The rare moments of
possession by the visitors only allowed
them respite from pressure with relieving
kicks.
Successive
penalties awarded on Millbrook’s
5 meter line lead to forward drives
setting up good ball for Hemopo
to loop a pass to Andy White
to crash over under the posts. White
added the conversion.
The
Islanders continued to press the visitors
defence, but were unlucky not to add
to the score.
Immediate
Island pressure at the start of the
second half lead to a classic driving
maul from which Martin Palmer
grounded. White added
the conversion.
Although Millbrooke rallied, they were
unable to control ball or position.
The Island continued to press and were
only prevented by the damp conditions
from adding to their total. When the
breakthrough came, from a penalty for
another collapsing offence, it was quickly
moved right for Emerson
to feed White for his
second try.
Saturday
sees the visit of top of the table Guernsey
at Wootton Rec. A success for the home
side would see them back top of the
division. Kick off is at 1-30pm.
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Date: Saturday
8th November 2003
Result:
Farnborough 5pts vs. Isle
of Wight 33pts |
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SECOND-HALF SHOWING SEE'S ISLAND BEAT
RESURGENT FARNBOROUGH
This
encounter promised to be the Island’s
toughest test to date against a resurgent
Farnborough. The first half was a fairly
dour affair with neither side establishing
a flowing pattern of play. The Island
backs looked dangerous when in possession
but a lack lustre performance from the
forwards failed to establish a platform
from which to capitalise on this advantage.
Two penalties from White
either side of a Farnborough try ensured
the Island turned round 6 – 5
ahead.
The second half heralded the start of
a much-improved Island performance.
The forwards led by skipper Sawle
began to impose themselves on the game
a secure a regular supply of quality
ball for their backs to launch a series
of probing attacks. The Island began
to play some exciting, flowing rugby
with particularly good performances
from Gadsby, Browne, Rouse and
man of the match Paterson.
The Island sealed victory with tries
from Browne, Gadsby, White,
Courage and Paterson
and a conversion from White.
This win keeps the Island in second
place one point behind league leaders
Guernsey. This Saturday the Island entertain
New Milton at Wootton Rec. in the 3rd
round of the Powergen Vase kick off
at 2.30 p.m.
Training on Mondays at Cowes High School
Gymnasium at 7.30 pm. New members always
welcome.
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Date: Saturday
1st November 2003
Result:
Isle of Wight 39pts vs. Fareham
Heathens 10pts |
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ISLAND
CONTINUE WINNING WAYS
The Island continued on their winning
ways with a disciplined performance
against a physical opposition. The honours
were evenly shared during the early
encounters with the Heathens taking
an early lead through a well taken penalty.
The Island dominated the set pieces
and had the beating of their opponents
out wide but spirited rucking from the
Heathens kept the game a close affair.
The Island replied with a penalty by
White before Browne
went over for a well worked try converted
by White.
The second half was an entirely different
affair. Playing against the elements
the Island's performance stepped up
a gear and they began to control all
phases of play and ran the ball wide
at every oppportunity. This was rewarded
with tries from N.Puckett
(two) and Browne completing
his brace with White
converting two before extending the
lead with another penalty. Heathens
continued to compete and after a breakaway
were rewarded with a converted try.
The Island had the final say with a
well worked try following a flowing
move that resulted in skipper Sawle
sprinting 15 metres to score under the
posts for possibly the Islands best
try of the season so far. White
converted. Man of the match was veteran
prop Lucy who had an
excellent game throughout. This victory
sees the Island move to within one
point of league leaders Guernsey. The
Island travel to Farnborough for a league
match.
Team:
Lucy, Gascoigne, New, A.Puckett, Rouse,
Palmer, Sawle, Abel, Brading, Courage,
S.Browne, N.Puckett, Hempolo, Emerson,
White. Subs Metcalfe, I.Browne, Woodbridge.
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Date: Saturday
25th October 2003
Result:
Isle of Wight 22 vs. Sandown
& Shanklin 6 |
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THE
MUCH AWAITED ENCOUNTER WAS REWARDED
WITH A LARGE CROWD.
The
tackling of centres Puckett
and Hemopo thwarted
any advances Hurricanes made and the
Island gained just rewards when the
ball was spun wide for Andy
White to score. Hurricanes
then attacked but their only reward
was a penalty. Back came the Island,
as driving play by the home forwards
kept the visitors on the back foot.
One such move resulted in the forwards
driving over for Rob Abel
to score.
The
IW continued to pressure in the second
half and when the ball was finally spun
wide, White went over
for his second try, then added the conversion.
Hurricanes responded with a second penalty
before a catch and drive in the visitors'
22 that saw another forward try for
the Island forwards, Martin
Palmer coming up with the ball.
The
two teams clash again on Sunday, November
30, in the Hampshire Worthing-ton's
Plate.
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Date: Saturday
18th October 2003
Result:
Old Brightonians 10pts vs.
Isle of Wight 19 |
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ISLAND
MOVE INTO THIRD ROUND OF POWERGEN CUP
This promised to be an open game with
both sides trying to play running rugby
in the early stages. The Island forwards
however dominated all aspects of the
game and consequently the Island began
to take control. They went ahead with
a penalty from White.
They extended their lead through a try
from Browne following
a flowing move involving all the backs.
A series of indifferent decisions and
a temporary lack of concentration from
the Island allowed the home team to
score two quick tries and take the lead.
This spurred the Island into responding
immediately and two penalties from the
reliable White squeezed
them back in front. A try from
Dollimore took the Island to
safety and a place in the third round
draw. The victory was celebrated at
the 80th Anniversary Ball that evening
and the club now look forward to two
home games in a row at fortress Wootton
the first the local derby with the Hurricanes
next weekend.
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Date: Saturday
11th October 2003
Result:
Millbrook 17 vs. Isle of Wight
26 |
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ISLAND
FAIL TO CAPITALISE ON THEIR SUPERIORITY
Despite
dominating all aspects of play the Island
failed to finish off a resilient Millbrook.
The Island enjoyed a continuous supply
of good possession but through a series
of unforced areas and indifferent decision
making failed to capitalise on their
superiority. Despite this the game
was a one sided affair that the Island
were never in danger of losing. The
pack showing that they had the strength
and power to test any pack in the league
and the backs displayed glimpses of
the skills that will open up defences
as the league campaign progresses. The
Island scored two tries from pushover
driving mauls both from man of the match
Palmer. The other two
tries were scored by N.Puckett
and Dollimore following
flowing, expansive moves involving forwards
and backs. White scored
three conversions. The Island travel
to Old Brightonians next Saturday in
the Powergen Vase.
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Date: Saturday
4th October 2003
Result:
Isle of Wight 48 vs. Eastleigh
8 |
|
Report
pending
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Date: Saturday
27th September 2003
Result:
Fawley 1st XV 5 vs. Isle of
Wight 1st XV 33 |
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ISLAND
BACK TO WINNING WAYS IN HAMPSHIRE LEAGUE
The
Island returned to winning ways last
weekend with a comprehensive victory
over the team that was promoted from
Division 1 with them this season. IW
opened the scoring with a well worked
try finished off by winger Browne.
White increased the
scoring with a penalty before crashing
over himself for a try to increase the
lead to 13-0. Fawley fought back briefly
and scored a try following a charged
down kick. However, the Island hit back
with a try by Puckett
converted by White.
White then added another
penalty before the lofty Gascoigne
charged down a kick to score under the
posts, converted again by White.
Despite a series of injuries that temporarily
disrupted their pattern of play the
Island continued to dominate and were
rewarded with the try of the match.
White finished off an enterprising move.
By now the IW forwards were in full
flow and the backs marshalled by man
of the match Courage
were running the ball wide at every
opportunity.
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Date: Saturday
13th September 2003
Result: Isle
of Wight 1st XV 8 vs. Trojans
1st XV 24 |
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ISLAND
LOSE FIRST LEAGUE GAME IN HAMPSHIRE
ONE.
First
blood went to the home side with an
Andy White penalty.
Trojans responded with a well worked
converted try. For much of the first
half the sides invaded each others 22s,
with neither able to score. It was therefore
unfortunate that a defensive laps by
the Island allowed Trojans to collect
their second try on the stroke of half
time.
This
error was repeated virtually from the
restart. But the Islanders responded
well and Brett Evans
scorched over almost immediately. With
both sides playing on the edge, the
referees patience finally gave out as
over the last ten minutes three players
experienced the sin bin. With a one
man advantage Trojans scored on the
final whistle.
The
Island showed that they will be competitive
in division one, but will need to focus
on their game for the full 80 minutes.
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