Fareham Heathens 17-33 Isle of Wight
IW returned to winning ways with a notable triumph away to high-flying Heathens at Cams Alders. The home side were on a five-game winning streak and after IW's recent reverse at Romsey, Heathens were surely favoured to take the spoils, but IW turned the tables with a strong performance.
The game started with end to end rugby and a number of handling errors from both sides. It was IW who opened the scoring after strong play from the pack, culminating in a try for Biffa man of the match Andrew Brown, converted by George Huish. Heathens retorted before long, a quick restart catching IW off guard and setting up field position resulting in a try.
IW returned with some intent and big carries from the centre partnership of Sam McQueen and Harri Jones-Evans gave them momentum. They also used their full range of lineouts to provide a good platform to work from. Pressure resulted in captain Luke Blackman trotting over out wide for another converted score. Again Heathens replied, forcing a key turnover and scoring their second unconverted try. IW led 14-10 at the break.
The second half started well for IW, with excellent structure to their play drawing a series of infringements from the Fareham side. The Islanders made the most of a close-range lineout, Brown applying the finish for his second try. Fareham now looked weary, and Blackman was not to be outdone by his forward colleague, taking off from the base of a scrum and scoring under the posts. IW now led 26-10 but could not be complacent, especially after defensive errors let Heathens back in to narrow the gap with a seven-pointer of their own.
Time was running out on the hosts but they looked threatening as they moved the ball wide, only for Boojum & Snark man of the match Aaron Young to appear from nowhere and intercept near halfway. He belied his aging legs to race clear and score the insurance try. Huish added his fourth conversion to set the seal on a fine victory, which saw IW claim back the Mike Blow Memorial Shield, played for each year by the two clubs he served with distinction.
IW return to home comforts for the next two weekends. On Saturday next, they host Eastleigh II while IW II face Eastleigh III, kicking off at 2.30 pm. The club's special centenary kit will also be launched on the day, with club sponsors in attendance.
IW: Young, Wynyard-Wright, Jones-Evans, McQueen, Rolfe, Huish, Blyth, Newnham, Bennett, Keyes, Brown, B Martin, J Bishop, Webster, Blackman, Wallace, Lockhart.
