Isle of Wight 73-15 Andover II
Isle of Wight RFC now have six wins from six after an eventually facile win over Andover II at Wootton Rec. The home team played some terrific 15-man rugby against a game but outgunned opposition.
Watched by a big crowd after a pre-game vice-president’s lunch, IW wasted little time in getting to work, as Harri Jones-Evans was stopped short before Luke Blackman moved the ball to Will Marsh to score in the corner. The captain also gave the final pass for his team’s second try, Andover knocking the ball on in midfield before full-back George Huish ran his customary straight line to race in from distance. A third try followed before the first half had elapsed, and it was a popular score for wing Finley Vickers, his first in club colours. It was a terrific move from inside IW territory, culminating in a delicious offload by Tom Turtle in the wide channels before Vickers beat his man to touch down.
Andover notably had the better of the set scrum, opting for three points when awarded a kickable penalty to open their account. IW hit straight back to claim their bonus point try inside the half-hour, as sustained pressure from the forwards sucked in Andover defence before Huish picked his moment to take the pass from scrum-half Aaron Young and crash over.
IW led 26-3 at this point, but Andover had their best spell leading up to half-time, spending most of it in the IW half. Their powerful loose-head prop barrelled over for a converted try, and though Luke Blackman showed great footwork to touch down in the corner, Andover had the last score of the half to make it 31-15 to the hosts.
The mainlanders were just about still in the game, but IW took charge after the interval. Huish completed his hat-trick with a chip-and-chase finish, and as injuries reduced Andover to 14 players, space opened up for IW. Hard-working front-rower Sam McQueen and Luke Blackman combined well from a tap penalty for the latter to score. The skipper was next to complete his hat-trick with an assist from Huish.
Andover battled away and were close to scoring again in the final 10 minutes, but good defensive work by Ian Bennett and Biffa man of the match Vickers kept them out. There was time for two further IW tries in the remaining minutes, another popular score celebrated by Finlay Lockhart, making his way back after a long injury absence. Fittingly, it was try machine Huish who scored IW’s eleventh try, his fifth of the match. Fly-half Dan Ward was on form with the boot, kicking nine conversions in total.
Under coach Neil Evans and his backroom team, IW have been playing some great rugby with forwards and backs combining well. IW are now the only unbeaten team left in the division, though just behind Alton and Fawley, having played a game less. Their home form is outstanding but their next two games are on the road, with a big test next up at Fawley on Saturday.
IW: Huish, Marsh, Jones-Evans, Sanderson, Vickers, Ward, Young, Newnham, McQueen, Turtle, J Bishop, Collett, Wynyard-Wright, D Blackman, L Blackman ©. Replacements: Bennett, Lockhart, Thorne.
