Sat 23 Sep 2023
IW 35-7 Ventnor
Isle of Wight marked their first home league game of the season in style with a blockbuster victory over Ventnor at Wootton Rec. A large crowd saw the home side dominate throughout with some scintillating rugby in evidence at times, which augurs well for the campaign ahead.
IW were able to select from a stronger deck than for the previous week at Overton, with some players making their seasonal debut including impressive newcomer Bradley Martin, operating at second row and covering the absence of brother Aidan. They set the tone from the outset, with direct carrying and exemplary support play allowing them to play at pace, centre Sam McQueen and forward Andy Brown especially effective. George Huish sent two penalty attempts wide in this period, though he would soon find his kicking radar and pinned the opposition back with some judicious tactical kicks. Ventnor gave nothing easily, but the pressure told as multiple phases ended with seasoned prop Martin Newnham barrelling over after 13 minutes. Huish converted for a 7-0 lead.
It was almost all IW for the remainder of the half, as Ventnor could not gain any traction or sustained territory. The hosts spent most of their time in the opposing half, but doughty defence and occasional errors kept the scoreline unchanged until the 35 minute mark, as gaps appeared and the fleet-footed Huish applied the finishing touch. 14-0 was more of a reflection of the game to that point, but there was another twist to come before half-time. With IW on the attack and seeking another try, Lines intercepted and set off on a length of the field odyssey. A herculean effort from corner-flagging veteran Ed Lynch cut Lines off, but he was able to link up with his support for a dramatic Ventnor try. The conversion left the half-time score at 14-7.
On another day, this turn of events could have been a momentum changer and derailed IW, but the second half would follow a similar vein to the first, with the key difference that the victors made their outstanding play count on the scoreboard this time. They were helped as a succession of penalties would lead to two yellow cards for the away side. Safe hands and sparkling feet by Arid man of the match Cameron Browne helped to set up field position, and the outflanked defence could not stop Huish crossing for his second. The fly-half was soon celebrating his hat-trick, after an incredible side-stepping run from full-back Aaron Young.
The one-way traffic continued, before captain Luke Blackman smashed over for his customary score from a tap penalty. Biffa man of the match Huish kicked his fifth conversion for a personal tally of 25 points. With 20 minutes remaining, the score had the potential to become uglier for Ventnor, who to their credit battled on and kept matters even for the final quarter. The referee called an end to a sportingly contested match in which IW played to their potential for most of the game, rather than in brief spells. They will aim to carry this into their next two games away from home.
IW: Young, Wynyard-Wright, Webster, McQueen, C Browne, Huish, Hanson, Newnham, Bennett, Keyes, B Martin, Brown, Pudney, Lynch, Blackman. Reps: Puzey, Rolfe, Wallace.
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