Sat 8 Nov 2025
Winchester III 27-24 Isle of Wight
A battling IW were denied victory in cruel fashion at Winchester, a late and highly controversial try award giving their hosts the win.
This was a very evenly matched encounter throughout, both teams having spells of ascendancy. IW had the better of the set scrums and defended well, but concessions of several penalties at key points in the game gave Winchester access. It was a penalty try that opened the scoring for the home team, and they extended their lead to 12-0, but tries by Brad Martin and George Huish, both converted by the latter, left IW in a 14-12 lead at half-time.
IW continued to incur the wrath of the referee in the second half, George Butler being yellow-carded after a team warning. A penalty goal and try for Winchester were offset by IW tries from David Blackman and Biffa man of the match Luke Blackman, returning from injury.
IW led 24-20 with three minutes remaining, but conceded a series of penalties in their own 22 and were forced to defend at length, which they did successfully. Eventually, Winchester grounded the ball against the post protector, which would have been a try prior to 2020, before a law change outlawed this as a method of scoring. To the horror of the Islanders, the try was awarded and Winchester regained the lead, which they would hold to the final whistle.
Impressive fly-half Dan Ward was awarded the Steve Singleton-sponsored man of the match accolade.
Despite the disappointing nature of the game's conclusion, IW take great heart from their performance away to the third-placed team in the league, and it looks likely that victories are only around the corner. Their next assignment is at home to Aldershot & Fleet on 22 Nov., with a provisional 2.30 pm kick-off.
IW: Huish, Young, Browne, Jones-Evans, Vickers, Ward, D Blackman, Newnham, McQueen, Hart, J Bishop, Blackburn, B Martin, Savill, L Blackman (c), Butler, Wynyard-Wright.
