Mens 2nd XV Match Reports 2003/2004
Season
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Date:
Saturday 3rd April 2004
Result: Isle of Wight
II 7pts V's New Milton &
District II 30pts
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ISLAND
FINISH SEASON WITH COMMENDABLE PERFORMANCE
The Island's second string finished
their campaign on a losing note at Wootton
against a strong New Milton outfit.
The Island defended well throughout
but struggled to make an attacking impression
due to a lack of possession and territory.
Short notice defections left the home
side a little disorganised at kickoff,
and Jan Butchers commendably
played the whole 80 minutes on the wing
despite a painful rib injury, having
hoped to be substitute.
The
early exchanges were closely fought
with neither side giving an inch, as
the play mainly revolved around halfway.
In fact the most notable feature of
the first half was New Milton's aggressive
rucking, which at times overstepped
the mark and saw Andy Woodbridge
and Lee Redfern suffer
painful treatment. The Island scrum
was also under pressure, not helped
by the injury-forced departure of prop
Taff Dunbar, though
Martin Roche performed
admirably in his stead. Dunbar
returned at halftime. Eventually
New Milton gained a foothold in the
Island half to force their way over,
and then a fine long range try followed
by a close range lineout drive saw them
to a 15-0 advantage at the break.
The Island pack continued to strive
manfully in the second half while the
backs tackled well, but they were now
playing against the breeze and New Milton
camped in the Island 22. The visitors
were also very successful in disrupting
the Island's throw-in, so attacking
opportunities were few. New Milton extended
their lead to 25- 0 before the Island
threw caution to the wind and played
their best rugby of the match.
Some
expansive movement bore fruit and in
a magnificent length of the field movement
involving about 10 Island players,
Dorian Rees-Williams sent James
Burt clear to make ground up
the touchline. At the breakdown Blake
Samson received and sidestepped
the fullback to score under the posts.
Tom Love converted.
New Milton trusted in their forwards
to reply and mauled their way to another
try, to leave the final score at 30-7.
But for the typical Island spirit the
final margin might have been greater,
and several players typified this -
including Redfern, Kevin McNamara,
Woodbridge, Rees-Williams, Roche, Burt
and
Samson
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Date: Saturday
20th March 2004
Result:
Sandown & Shanklin II
32pts V's Isle of Wight II
10pts |
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ISLAND
LOSE IN IMPOSSIBLE WINDY CONDITIONS
In impossibly windy conditions at the
Hurricanes ground, the home side ground
out a hard fought victory in a gritty
but sporting local derby. The losers
will not be overly downbeat in the knowledge
that their second half performance was
among their best all season. The aforementioned
gale blew from end to end, and the Island
had its advantage in the first 40. Therefore
it was imperative to gain an early lead,
but strong opening pressure consisting
of a series of lineouts in the opposition
22 went unrewarded. That said, hooker
John Gascoigne and
no. 8 Matt DeBicki showed
a good understanding at the lineout
in difficult conditions, and it was
mainly spirited Hurricanes defence that
kept the Island at bay.
Somewhat
against the run of play, the home side
took the lead with a close range forwards'
try, and as the Island attempted to
bounce back, a turnover allowed the
Hurricanes to run in a fine backs' try
from their own half. Meanwhile, quicksilver
fullback Jon Moorse
was forced off after a collision. Undaunted,
the Island fought on but Sandown were
next to score and the halftime score
read 15-0. The Island had much to do
against the elements in the second half,
especially as prop Tim Cole
also had to leave injured.
Some tactical switches were made but
Sandown were quicker into their stride
and camped in the Island 22. Spirited
resistance from the Island ensued but
the home side scored twice, one converted
to open a 27-0 lead. It was here that
the Island might have buckled, but from
here on they began to play some superb
pick and drive rugby to which the Hurricanes
had no answer. After DeBicki
and substitute fullback James
Burt were held up over the
line, winger Blake Samson
eventually wriggled over in the right
corner for a deserved try to keep his
scoring average up. Conditions were
such that the Island didn't even attempt
the conversion!
The tireless work and intelligent distribution
of half-backs Andy Woodbridge
and Dorian Rees-Williams
kept the Island in attacking
territory, and a rolling maul saw second
row Lee Redfern ground
and score. Again the conversion was
deemed impossible. The Hurricanes did
score again after a deceptive bounce
caught the Island rearguard, to leave
the final score 32-10.
It
was good to see the return of Louis
Woodbridge on the wing and
barnstorming prop Stuart Bartlett
also was recalled to good effect. Others
to play well were James Burt,
Mark Wainwright and Jan
Butchers.
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Date: Saturday
28th February 2004
Result:
Isle of Wight II19pts V's
Nomads II 47pts |
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Behold another scintillating report
from the golden keyboard of rugby's
James Joyce....
In an entertaining and closely contested
game at chilly Wootton, the visitors
took the spoils in a game that was much
more even than the scoreline might suggest.
It was the elusive running of the Nomads
backs which proved decisive in the final
outcome, as well as the home side only
having 14 men throughout. With welcome
returnee Nigel Harley lining
up at fullback but missing the
opening moments, Nomads were quick to
score with a chip over Kieran
Leahy's head and successful
chase. To the Island's credit heads
did not drop and indeed they had the
better of the next 20 minutes, despite
another unconverted Nomads try. Uncontested
scrums meant a stream of possession
well used by the Island backs, and Blake
Samson was able to break some
Nomads tackles to score. 10-7 then to
Nomads, until some outstanding broken
field running by Samson,
fly-half Jon Moorse
and Kevin McNamara
took its toll. Eventually new Welsh
wing Rob Galloway hoovered
up a Nomads error and raced in to give
the Island a 12-10 lead. The Island's
tails were now up but Nomads responded
in kind by scoring some excellent tries,
and one soft one from a short range
penalty. Halftime left the score 25-12.
The IW forwards were striving manfully
to negate the one-man shortfall and
competed well at setpiece and in rucks.
Scores were never easy for the visitors
but they came and the margin stretched
to 42-12. However, some excellent continuity
from backs and forwards led to another
try for the pacy Samson,
converted by Moorse.
Nomads had the final say scoring in
the corner with the last move of the
game, and it finished 47-19.
Many players made welcome returns to
the game today, including Nigel
Harley, John Gascoigne
at hooker, Nigel Proctor
on the flank and his back row colleague
Kevin McNamara. Best
for the Island were Samson,
Moorse, Woodbridge, Gascoigne, Love
and deserving man of the match
McNamara.
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Date: Saturday
7th February 2004
Result:
Isle of Wight II 27 V's Ryde
19 |
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ISLAND BREAK LOSING STREAK
The Island deservedly brought an end
to their six-game losing streak against
fellow islanders Ryde at Wootton. In
changeable conditions, the home side
were too strong overall and were not
flattered by the final score.
In initially windy and wet conditions
play was scrappy but fiercely contested,
though the Island forwards gained the
ascendancy from an early stage. All
scores were earned though, with the
forwards driving
over for the first try after a long
spell of pressure. Ryde were quick to
riposte, with some weak Island tackling
allowing them a straightforward touchdown
to leave the scores level at 7-7. However,
a
searing outside break by Blake
Samson at centre saw the Island
regain the lead, and another try was
forthcoming before halftime to leave
the score at 17-7. Ryde came out with
all guns blazing and were rewarded with
another preventable try, but a splendidly
worked try involving no. 8 Matt
Debicki and scrum-half Andy
Woodbridge stretched the gap
once more to 22-12. Samson
then scored a carbon copy of his first
before a fine individual chip and chase
saw guest stand-off Ian
score a deserved try. Matters grew testy
as some Ryde players took exception
to the Island's forward supremacy, but
the referee managed to maintain a semblance
of calm and no cards were issued. Ryde
did have the final word with a converted
try to leave the final score at 32-19.
There
were three notable features in this
game: the long-awaited and much trumpeted
return to the playing sward of Richard
Beardsall (which coincided
remarkably with the outbreak of fighting
in the second half), the equally heralded
touchfinding of substitute prop Scott
Lillystone, and the "united
nations" nature of the Island lineup.
As well as several Englishmen, they
boasted wings Rem Knuppe
(Holland) and Kieran Leahy
(Ireland), centre Blake Samson
(Zimbabwe), a Scottish prop, Welsh stalwart
Taff Dunbar, and Canadian
No. 8 Matt DeBicki.
Meanwhile, regular fullback Vincent
Tesson (France) was unavailable.
Best for a committed Island side were
fullback Matt Beaton, Samson,
Woodbridge, Lee Redfern, Keith Ross
and DeBicki.
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Date: Saturday
20th December 2003
Result:
Isle of Wight II 0 V's .Sandown
& Shanklin II 29 |
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IMPROVED ISLAND DISPLAY
This
was a much improved display by the Island
despite the barren scoreline, as they
took the game to the experienced visitors
frequently and were done a disservice
by the final margin.
The opening exchanges were frantic and
physical but always fair, and the inexperienced
Island pack held their own against their
opponents. The Hurricanes scrum would
eventually gain ascendancy despite the
determined efforts of Tim Hayes,
Tom Love and Kevin
Scuvell. Island defence was
effective though, and the visitors were
just about deserving of their 12-0 halftime
lead.
The elements favoured the opposition
in the second period and the home side
began to tire, though never giving up
hope. Sandown/Shanklin made use of the
openings that appeared and built up
a 29-0 lead, though the Island ought
to have scored at least once before
the end but for some dogged defence
and questionable options.
Encouraging signs were that the Island
had a squad of 18 for this encounter,
defence was spirited under pressure
and the pack continue to improve. Best
for the Island were Andy Woodbridge,
Ian Browne and
Canadian No. 8 Matt Debecki,
all of whom seemed to be everywhere
at times.
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Date: Saturday
13th December 2003
Result:
Isle of Wight II 5
V's Ventnor II 66
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VENTNOR
TOO STRONG FOR ISLAND 2nds
In high winds and slippery underfoot
conditions, Ventnor proved far too good
for the Island team. The first half
was quite evenly contested but Ventnor's
selection of most of their first team
pack saw them gain dominance of the
scrum, making it almost impossible for
the Island to secure any meaningful
possession. This dominance saw Ventnor
pull clear in the second quarter, and
with the aid of a strong gale they led
32-0 at half time.
The Island were hopeful of making an
impression with the elements in their
favour, but some disorganised defending
and bad bounces saw Ventnor extend their
lead. With the score at 51-0, the home
side finally had a spell of constant
pressure, and centre Martin
Roche (who made the most of
limited opportunities throughout) made
a fine run to set up (Kevin
the backrow guy, not Kevin
Scuvell) for a deserved try. Ventnor
regained control to score three more
tries.
Given the strength of Ventnor's lineup,
aspects of the Island performance were
encouraging. Best for the home team
were Matt Beaton, Dorian Rees-Williams,
Tom Love and (in the first
half only) the combative Dave
Dunbar.
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Date: Saturday
29th November 2003
Result: US
Portsmouth II 58 vs. Isle
of Wight II 0 |
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ISLAND
IN SPIRITED DISPLAY.
The
Island travelled to US's wonderfully
appointed ground but despite a spirited
display were heavily defeated. Playing
a man short in the pack throughout the
match proved insurmountable against
a powerful and experienced US outfit,
though the final score was grossly unfair
on a determined Island 14.
The Island probably shared possession
and territory equally throughout the
game which was played in wet and windy
conditions, but on a firm sod. However,
the home defence was watertight and
their attack was ruthless in taking
chances. The halftime score was 29-0,
but the visitors had their best spells
either side of halftime and took the
game to the opposition on numerous occasions.
However, US Portsmouth
retained control and finished with 10
tries.
Some
Island players stood out, namely Andy
Woodbridge and Matt
Beaton (an unfamiliar halfback
pairing), Tom Love
(on his seasonal return), Matt
Wainwright, centre and
xxxxxxx (what's that bald bloke's
name?), and after an even longer absence,
flanker (the other bald bloke with the
tattoos).
This game illustrated even more clearly
the need for second team players to
turn out as regularly as possible in
order to develop continuity, as a little
more cohesion at times could have led
to a much
more favourable scoreline.
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Date: Saturday
8th November 2003
Result:
Fareham Heathens II 26 V's
Isle of Wight II 27 |
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ISLAND
TAKE THE SPOILS
Despite a depleted
side, the Isle of Wight earned a well-deserved
victory at Fareham last weekend. A healthy
half-time lead was steadily erased and
the Island trailed in the closing moments,
before a nerveless Don Roe
penalty kick won the Island the spoils.
With the help of three guest players,
the opening exchanges were closely fought
though Heathens took the initiative
and were rewarded
with a close range try, unconverted.
However, the Islanders got to grips
with the opposition and playing with
the diagonal breeze began to take over.
A spirited forward performance was ably
marshalled by Ivan
Augustus, with Don
Roe linking well with the backs.
One such move allowed Jonathan
Moorse to make a searing break
from inside his own alf, beating roughly
half the Heathens team en route to the
try line.
Roe converted. The
pattern of the first half continued
as first the Island's guest centre and
then Don Roe with an
outrageous dummy shredded the home defence
for two marvellous tries, one of which
was converted to make the halftime score
19-5 to the visitors. The pendulum swung
dramatically in the 2nd half as Heathens
used the wind and an improved forward
performance to camp in Island territory.
Despite determined Island resistance,
the home side touched down to make it
19-12. However, another astonishing
break and try from Moorse gave
the visitors breathing space at 24-12.
However, aided by injuries to Matt
Wainwright and James
Burt, Heathens ground the Islanders
down and a forwards touchdown along
with an opportunist try was enough to
put Heathens 26-24 in front with three
minutes to play. However, the Island
forced a penalty 30 metres out which
Roe coolly slotted to secure
victory with the last kick of a thrilling
game. The Island gave a superb team
performance, particularly the forwards.
However, standout individuals were Tim
Cole, Lee Redfearn, Andy Woodbridge,
Don Roe and Jonathan Moorse.
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Date: Saturday
4th October 2003
Result: Isle of Wight
II 19pts V's Stoneham Park
26pts |
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ISLAND
TAKE FOOT OFF PEDDLE
A
game thrown away, was the Islanders
feelings as they left the pitch, having
dominated the game, yet taken their
foot off the peddle with 20 minutes
to go.
Playing
against the elements and up the slope
first half, the play was dominated by
driving play and hard running. The returning
Paul Curless and debutante
Rob Abel were at the
fore, while Steve Wiltshire
and Ben Darroll carried
the ball to the opposition. It was Wiltshires
strong running and sidestepping that
lead to his first try, converted by
Jon Moore. A further
try was added when Andy Reynolds
supported a fine backs break to round
off the move. Moorse
added the conversion. Stoneham responded
with a try just before half time.
Turning
round, the Islanders failed to capitalise
on the slope and wind, but added a further
try through Wiltshire.
With 20 minutes to go the home side
seemed to switch off. Firstly a Stoneham
breakout lead to a converted try, while
the Island were waiting for a forward
pass decision that was not forthcoming.
A loose ball was pounced on by Stonehams
winger to speed in for the scores to
be levelled.
The
Island then had further pressure on
the Stoneham line only to see another
breakout, resulting in the winning try.
Disappointment followed the final whistle,
but all knew that when this side settle,
results will follow.
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Date: Saturday
27th September 2003
Result: Fawley
II 43pts V's Isle of Wight
II 31pts |
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ISLAND
LOSE FIRST GAME AWAY
This
first away game was lost not by the
lack of effort from the island side,
but through the loss of three players
during the game. Andy Woodbridge
was first to finish off a backs move
and Barry New added
a second soon after.
An
injury to Tim Cole
came before Fawley scored their first
try. The Island were further ahead through
a second Woodbridge try,
but then the loss of both half backs
changed the focus of the game.
Fawley
drew ahead with two scores, but the
Island side responded with pressure
on the home sides line. First Sandy
Powell crossed for a try and
this was followed with a try by
Ben Darroll.
However
the loss of the three players told over
the last ten minutes as Fawley made
the most of the space to rum out winners.
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Date: Saturday
20th September 2003
Result:
Isle of Wight 2nd XV 58 vs.
Ryde 21 |
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Island side to strong
for Ryde.
In
the first encounter between these two
clubs the Island ended up running out
comfortable winners. All did not start
that way as the Islanders looked as
though it was their first match and
Ryde started with a spirited display.
Tries from Richard Dollymore,
Blake Samson and Jon
Moorse, along with a penalty
try allowed the Island to turn round
with a 24 to 7 lead, Rydes try coming
from Andy Woodbridge.
Island tries by Dollymore
and Brett Evans were
matched by Hodgson
and Hanson for Ryde
with Goodson adding
conversions. The last twenty minutes
saw the home side dominate as they ran
in four more tries, three by Dollymore
and one with Tim Cole
getting the final downward pressure.
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