Sat 16 Mar 2024
Isle of Wight 10-38 Havant III
League leaders Havant III put IW to the sword at Wootton Rec in a bruising contest. The winners were full value for their triumph, but were undoubtedly flattered by the final margin in a battle that was closely contested before the mainlanders pulled away in the closing stages.
IW’s win on the road the previous week came at a high price, with the injury list stacking up. They fielded for this encounter without some key names, including tight-head prop Ricky Keyes and captain and top try-scorer Luke Blackman. Meanwhile, Havant travelled with confidence and a strong squad. Havant’s big pack bared their teeth early and were on the scoresheet inside five minutes, but IW settled to their task and spent much of the rest of the first half on the attack. Yardage was hard to come by against an well organised opposition, despite strong running from newcomer Ben Hart and veteran Andrew Brown. However, a long spell of pressure ended with hard-working flanker Ian Puzey burrowing over.
IW’s scrum was under severe pressure for most of the match, and Havant made use of this to gain territory and regain the lead in short order. However, IW’s lineout was in good order and gave them plenty of possession, allowing them to pressurise Havant and level the scores with a George Huish penalty after 36 minutes. This was not much return for IW’s territorial dominance, and when a lineout went awry inside their 22, Havant were quickest to react for a converted score just before half-time. They led 17-10 at the break.
The second half was a different story, as it was Havant’s turn to control possession and territory more frequently. The margin remained at seven points for the first 15 minutes of the half, but Havant had pace out wide and looked increasingly threatening, before a critical score stretched their lead on 55 minutes. IW were gallant and put their bodies on the line repeatedly, but the injury curse began to kick in with Nick Blyth, James Webster and Nathan Rolfe forced off and much reshuffling required. Biffa man of the match Cameron Browne was busy and outstanding throughout, but his duties became mostly defensive in the closing quarter. Havant scored again with just over 10 minutes to play, and with IW out on their feet, added a final try in the last minute to stretch their advantage further.
Curiously, despite their defeat, IW move up a place to third as Overton were deducted five points for conceding a walkover in their fixture. IW next travel to Aldershot & Fleet.
IW: Young, C Browne, Jones-Evans, McQueen, Rolfe, Huish, Blyth, Hart, Butler, Newnham, Blackburn, B Martin, Puzey, Webster, Brown. Replacements: D Bishop, J Bishop, Wynyard-Wright.
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