Isle of Wight 44-7 Portsmouth II
In their belated opening game of 2026, the Island ensured revenge after losing at Portsmouth 2s earlier in the season. The display showed how the Rangers have progressed in the last month with a commanding first half performance.
An early penalty was slotted by George Huish after early pressure. As Portsmouth launched attacks, the home defence hammered into the visitors, causing constant errors, with Dan Bishop, Sam McQueen and James Webster to the fore.
From such turn over ball, centre Aidan Wan picked up the loose ball and proceeded to dance around several Portsmouth players from well inside his own half, to touch down for a spectacular individual try. With Huish adding the conversion, IW took a 10-0 lead.
With rising confidence in their defence, the home scrum started to take the game to the visitors, with constant pressure on their put-in. Receiving a penalty ten metres out, a quick tap put Portsmouth on the back foot. From the next pick and drive, captain Luke Blackman crossed for a 15-0 score.
Despite this domination in attack, the home side seemed to think that attacking from all points was the way forward, until coach Neil Evans refocused the team on their game plan. Now Portsmouth were cut down with each attack they produced and IW regularly turned over ball. With a feed to the scrum, Portsmouth found themselves going back at a rate for the ball to come to Blackman’s feet. Quick hands down the backs released Biffa IW man of the match Aaron Young to score, reward for his calm display at fullback. A touchline conversion from Huish gave the Island a 22-0 lead.
After this sublime move the next try was a comedy of errors with hacked ball bouncing off players and no one seeming to be able to handle the ball, all ending in IW’s bonus point try with Blackman finally controlling the ball and scoring. The conversion left IW 29-0 ahead at half-time.
First blood of the second half went to Portsmouth as the home defence was caught napping and conceded a converted try. To settle any nerves, Huish slotted another penalty. With front row Savill, McQueen and Newnham continuing to pressure in the scrums and a strong defence hitting the tackles, IW were able to cut out any thoughts Portsmouth had in getting back in the game, frustrating the Pompey players.
Island pressure resulted in their fifth try as Huish was brought down short but offloaded to Blackman for his hat trick score, Huish adding the kick for a 39-7 lead. Finally, Huish broke forward, and lost his feet only to find Wan on his shoulder. The centre added his second try of the match to complete the scoring.
With a final score of 44-7, coach Evans said, “The boys will be very happy with the result. We are moving forward.” His team are again at home on Saturday, this time hosting Winchester.
IW: Young, Browne, Wan, Sanderson, Jones-Evans, Huish, Vickers, Savill, McQueen, Newnham, Blackburn, D Bishop, Amer, Webster, L Blackman, J Bishop, Lynch.
Thanks to Katharine Overton for the photographs!
