Isle of Wight 26-33 Overton
IW’s opening home league game of the campaign ended in narrow defeat in an exciting match which could have gone either way. The home side, struggling after a mediocre first half, fashioned a spirited comeback but were pipped in the end by deserving winners Overton.
IW were missing captain and talisman Luke Blackman, but gave full debuts to number 8 Joe Bussell and centre Aidan Wan, both of whom impressed throughout. It was evident early on that there was not much between the teams, both of whom had lost their opening game narrowly. The forward exchanges were close, but Overton were dangerous given clean ball and were able to move the ball wide efficiently. They exploited their pace in the wide channels to outflank the hosts and score two good tries in the first quarter.
The Islanders were also trying to play expansively but were not as slick as Overton in the backs, also finding the visitors adept at jackalling and turning over ball. The route to their opening score was a more direct one, a series of forward drives allowing the powerful Bussell to barrel over for the try. Overton had the final say of the half though, scoring again and leading 19-7 at the break.
IW had not played badly in the first half but some of their defence was not of the required standard, and strong words were needed at the break. These had the desired effect initially, as the home side flipped the game on its head. Increased physicality and support play gave IW more continuity and quicker ball, resulting in fly-half George Huish jinking over. Within minutes, the scores were level as IW scored the try of the game, set up by a break from stand-in captain David Blackman and seeing the ball pass through multiple hands, before Huish applied the finishing touch. His conversion left the score 19-19.
It was largely one-way traffic at this point, IW’s scrum rampant and with Ben Hart and debutant Wan looking threatening, but it was again Biffa man of the match Huish who made the difference, running a hard line when an IW attack seemed to have run aground and touching down to complete a treble.
There seemed only one likely winner, but Overton showed great spirit and lifted the siege, only needing one chance to touch down and level the scores at 26-26. IW came back, Huish narrowly wide with a penalty attempt to restore the lead. IW were then oddly penalised at a scrum in the Overton 22, and the mainlanders took full advantage, exploiting some confusion on the blind side and securing what proved to be the winning score. IW had tasted the hint of victory but lost the initiative at a crucial time, and had to settle for two bonus points in defeat.
The club would like to thank Kieran Leahy for sponsoring the man of the match award and David Killpack for sponsoring the match ball. IWRFC is also grateful to its sponsors Biffa IW, Red Funnel, Island Healthcare, Arid Design, Ravenprint, Stay Ready Strength, Joedan, SD Tanner Electrical and Boojum & Snark.
Next week, IW travel to Portsmouth II.
IW: Rolfe, Wynyard-Wright, Wan, Marsh, Young, Huish, Vickers, Newnham, McQueen, Keyes, Blackburn, J Bishop, Hart, D Blackman, Bussell, Savill, Thorne.
