IW 0-43 Millbrook
Isle of Wight started 2025 with a comprehensive defeat at home to Millbrook. This result was not unexpected, as IW inhabit the lower reaches of the table while Millbrook boast a 100% record this season and had won their last league game 104-0. That said, IW played well and competed hard for the greater part of the game, but will rue a dreadful start.
IW have been in the habit of starting slowly in many of their home games this season, and the opening quarter could not have gone much worse. Danny Rackett's return from injury lasted less than 10 minutes, and Millbrook cut his side open at will, showing why they are top of the league. They scored four tries to ensure a bonus point inside 19 minutes, some of their play of a very high order, though in part aided by some passive IW defending.
Belatedly, IW found their defensive mojo with Biffa man of the match Harri Jones-Evans to the fore, and the next 50 or so minutes was a very different game indeed to what had gone previously. Where IW had been turned over regularly by Millbrook's poachers early on, they improved their ball presentation and support play drastically, and began to retain possession. Joedan man of the match and captain Luke Blackman led by example, while most pleasingly of all, his brother David made his return to competitive rugby after a very serious leg injury some years ago.
The score remained unchanged at 22-0 up to half-time and well beyond, both teams battling hard but cancelling each other out. IW's scrum was now on top after earlier woes, and Ben Hart made a major impact when introduced while Nathan Rolfe performed admirably in the unfamiliar role of scrum-half. Another player returning after several years' absence was Will Marsh, who made some telling interventions on his wing. IW were unable to put Millbrook under sustained pressure though, with lineout possession scarce and scrappy throughout.
Millbrook eventually broke through again on 70 minutes for a converted try. IW responded with their best spell of pressure of the game as they sought a try to reward their efforts, but it culminated in hard-working centre Sam McQueen being held up over the line. This was a dagger in the heart of the tiring Islanders, whose line was breached twice more in the closing minutes as the victors cut loose.
IW remain second from bottom of Counties 2 Hampshire, and next week travel to Winchester.
IW: Ward, Jones-Evans, Rackett, McQueen, Wynyard-Wright, Huish, Rolfe, Newnham, Butler, Thorne, Blackburn, D Bishop, B Martin, L Blackman(C), D Blackman, Marsh, Hart.
