Isle of Wight 18-17 Locks Heath Pumas
IW began their Counties Two Hampshire campaign in dramatic and victorious fashion in the Wootton sunshine, with a one-point victory over Pumas.
With an RFU crew making a short film about the club and a Vectis RFC guard of honour to welcome the teams on the pitch, the large crowd saw a thrilling and incident-packed encounter. Five of the IW team had completed the UK Three Peaks Challenge the previous weekend, but showed no obvious ill effects from their efforts.
Both sides showed a determination to attack from the off in excellent conditions, but each were met with powerful defensive sets. IW at one stage seemed certain to concede, but held out on their line and cleared. They had exceptional defensive performances from the returning Danny Rackett and Red Funnel man of the match Ian Puzey, but the normally reliable line-out was malfunctioning badly.
Much of the first half was played between the 22s, with both sides only clear opportunities a penalty attempt each, both going close but the wrong side of the post. With a 0-0 halftime score, it was unclear as to which side were happiest.
Three minutes after the restart, IW took the lead with a George Huish penalty. Strong defence, led by Harri Jones-Evans and returnee Michael Joyce continued.
Then the game livened up further. A Pumas ruck led to a confrontation, seeing Puzey and his opposite number receiving yellow cards. As Puzey left the field, he was punched by the Pumas scrum-half. After another melee a red card was shown to the offending Puma.
From this point the Island side stepped up their play and pace. Sustained pressure resulted in Huish side-stepping through and scoring under the posts and converting for a 10-0 lead. Pumas responded with a score of their own, only for Huish to slot another penalty.
This pressure continued, with Cameron Browne looking lively in attack. A 22 metre line out from a penalty resulted in Luke Blackman carrying the ball and offloading to Huish, who parted to Biffa man of the match Danny Rackett to score.
With an 18-5 lead and some 5 minutes remaining, IW seemed set for the win, but there was more to come. Firstly, the visitors came back and scored a converted try.
IW were now under pressure and a second yellow card to Puzey for infringing at a quick Pumas penalty saw the sides both down to 14. The mainlanders revelled in the open spaces and stretched the tiring IW team. With last play of the game called, a Pumas lineout in the 22 was driven forward. As the maul crossed the line a try was awarded, though home players were adamant that the ball had been held up.
So Pumas required the conversion kick to win, an outcome that would have been cruel on the game Islanders. A determined IW charge as the kicker approached the ball was sent back by the ref. As the Pumas kicker approached, a divine wind blew the ball over and the kick was missed, so the jubilant hosts celebrated a heart-stopping victory.
Next Saturday sees Isle of Wight at home to US Portsmouth, kicking off at 3pm.
IWRFC: D Ward, A Young, D Rackett, S McQueen, C Browne, G Huish, F Lockhart, L Blackman, H Jones-Evans, M Joyce, J Bishop, C Pudney, R Keyes, G Butler, M Newnham. I Puzey, J Wynyard-Wright, I Bennett.
Thanks to Katharine Overton for the great photos!
