Sat 18 Nov 2023
Isle of Wight 54-17 Eastleigh II
Continuing their good form of late, IW subdued a battling Eastleigh outfit in the second half to run out winners at a damp Wootton Rec. There was not much between the teams in the first 40 minutes, but for the home team to step up a gear in the second period and shut out the opposition.
Eastleigh firsts had their game cancelled earlier in the day, but it seemed that they had not bolstered their seconds as a result, although they gave IW plenty to think about in an interesting first half, defying their lowly league position and building on their 37-0 win last week. This was illustrated early on when they found space out wide to stress the IW defence, before opening the scoring with a good try.
Sporting their new limited edition centenary kit for the first time, IW got to work with their scrummage dominant. When awarded the put-in five metres out, they pushed Eastleigh over the line without much fuss, no. 8 Luke Blackman touching down after 14 minutes. An Eastleigh forward was then somewhat harshly yellow carded, and IW took advantage. They built sustained pressure, and though repelled at first, they were able to squeeze over through Blackman.
Now leading 14-5, IW seemed to have settled, but they made a hash of clearing their lines from the restart and were made to pay by the sharp Eastleigh backs. The end to end pattern of play continued, another spell of supremacy crowned by a try by hard-running centre Sam McQueen. However, Eastleigh fought straight back, a well executed lineout leading to their third try. The Islanders took a 21-17 lead to the break.
The game appeared to be anyone’s at this stage, but IW would have matters more their own way from now on. Where the pack shaded proceedings in the first half, now they started to dominate, turning over less ball in contact and maintaining good support play. The scrum was as rampant as ever and yielded several penalties. A key score came on the 45 minute mark, as McQueen notched his second from close range and confirmed the bonus point. Equally key was that IW did not concede soon afterwards, and began to monopolise possession.
With MarineFit man of the match Finlay Lockhart directing play well on home debut and the Martin brothers getting through plenty of work in the second row, Blackman completed his hat-trick to extend the lead to 33-17. The next score was by debutant centre and Biffa man of the match Danny Rackett, a reward for an eye-catching performance which featured several great interventions. Further pressure saw IW stopped short before Blackman again touched down.
Eastleigh dug in and gave IW little in the closing quarter, but there was time for one more score, probably the best of the day. Going wide from the now uncontested scrum, good handling by Jehane le Grange, Nathan Rolfe and George Huish gave Cam Browne some space. The winger cut back in and was tackled, but was able to offload inside for the ubiquitous Blackman to canter over for his fifth try of a remarkable individual performance. Huish kicked the extras, his seventh successful conversion from eight attempts. The referee called time five minutes early, but it mattered little as the outcome had long since been decided.
IW now sit third in the league, four points behind leaders Havant III and equal on points with Fareham Heathens and Romsey. Next up are Christchurch, who bring two sides to Wootton Rec on Saturday.
IW: Huish, Rolfe, Rackett, McQueen, C Browne, le Grange, Lockhart, Newnham, Bennett, Keyes, B Martin, A Martin, Puzey, Jones-Evans, Blackman. Replacements: Blackburn, Wynyard-Wright, Wallace.
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