Sat 11 Mar 2023
Winchester II 60-24 IW
In their final away league match of the season, Isle of Wight were well beaten at second-place Winchester. It was a celebration for the hosts who had already secured promotion and they played some great rugby with the shackles off, but IW also battled for the duration and were rewarded with a four-try bonus point in an open tussle.
With some enforced changes from last week, IW went in as heavy underdogs against a Winchester side who had run champions Guernsey to a single point earlier in the season, and had since gone on a winning run. However, the Islanders started in style with a Bishop touchdown after 6 minutes, converted by George Huish. Winchester reacted with their impressive all-court game which IW could not live with, and the winners had secured the bonus point and a 22-7 lead after only 27 minutes.
IW showed great continuity at times and hard work by their forward pack was finished off by Fountain Inn man of the match Luke Blackman as the first half drew towards a conclusion. Huish added the extras, but Winchester were soon back on top. A Nathan Rolfe tackle saved a certain try, but from an ensuing penalty, Winch scored again for a 27-14 halftime lead.
The Islanders had mounted comebacks from unpromising situations in their two most recent league games, but a repeat looked unlikely as Winchester were back on the scoresheet within minutes of the restart. Yet IW battled back, keeping the ball alive and forcing a series of penalties, ending with a fine Callum Pudney score to make the score 34-19. IW hopes were dashed before long, as Winch were on the crest of a wave and constructed three further tries in a ten-minute spell, putting the outcome beyond doubt. The IW defence could have been better for some of the Winchester tries, but the home team’s pace and power was impressive nonetheless.
It was now mainly about the bonus point for IW, which they secured with a few minutes remaining, courtesy of a slick lineout move and a try for the hardworking Ian Bennett. Fittingly though, it was the victors who scored last with the aid of an unfortunate bounce. They had showed their mettle which they will hope to take into the league above next season. Meanwhile, IW’s bonus point ensured that they will finish in sixth place for the fourth season in a row. They finish their league campaign at home to Ventnor on Saturday next.
IW: Young, Rolfe, Webster, Brown, C Browne, Huish, S Browne, Newnham, Turtle, Blackburn, Bishop, Martin, Pudney, Bennett, Blackman, Davey, Wallace, Wynyard-Wright.
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