Sat 25 Nov 2023
Isle of Wight II 12-22 Christchurch II
IW seconds were edged out by visiting Christchurch in an entertaining encounter played in glorious sunshine at Wootton Rec. Christchurch were new opponents for the Islanders and, with the services of a number of loan players from Sandown/Shanklin RFC, were good value for their win on the balance of play. Nonetheless, IW could have taken the spoils but for some defensive lapses at key moments.
IW II were frustrated to have received a walkover the previous weekend, and this was their first match in five weeks. They were dealt a blow after only three minutes, ageless fly-half Neil Brading forced off through injury, and spent virtually the entire first half-hour defending their own territory against a physically big Christchurch team. The hosts defended very well in this period, with notable tackles by Finlay Lockhart and Colin Stretch, but were regularly penalised and unable to retain enough possession to lift the siege, in spite of strong carries by George Butler and Kevin Blackburn. Eventually, the visitors crashed over for the opening score on 20 minutes to lead 7-0.
IW finally began to get a foothold and with a strong scrum, they began to impose some structure on their play. But it was Christchurch who scored next, as the ball squirted free from a scrum and was regathered by one of the loan players, who set off on a mazy run that IW could not halt. Now trailing 12-0, IW were spurred into action. With improved support of the ball carrier, IW now had quick ball and a fantastic break by centre Brian Fu was supported by his hard-hitting centre partner Joss Spence, who touched down for a great try on 33 minutes. IW trailed 12-5 at half-time.
The second half saw the home side continue their ascendancy. Evergreen skipper and Ravenprint man of the match Stu Browne went through his repertoire of dummy kicks and silky touches, while Biffa man of the match Dan Bishop was proving to be a threatening ball carrier. It was Bishop who crashed over for the second IW try after an excellent spell of multi-phase pressure by his team. Geoff Scandrett added the conversion, and IW were now level at 12-12.
To Christchurch’s credit, they were able to stall IW momentum and took back control, aided by Fu’s injury-enforced departure. Another of the loan players broke several tackles to regain the lead, and loss of concentration by the IW defence led to another try for Christchurch to stretch the margin to 10. There would be no further scores in the closing quarter of a highly enjoyable and well contested game. IW II’s next match is at New Milton on Saturday.
IW: S Browne ©, Wynyard-Wright, Spence, Fu, Blyth, Brading, Lockhart, Tombleson, Butler, Davey, J Bishop, Blackburn, Jones, Stretch, D Bishop, Scandrett.
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