Basingstoke II 45-22 IW II
Isle of Wight RFC’s second team concluded their Hampshire Three season with defeat against a slick Basingstoke side. The teams produced plenty of enterprising rugby in good conditions, with no shortage of tries for the spectators to enjoy.
Basingstoke started like a whirlwind, with two tries in quick succession founded on great handling and pace out wide. IW retorted well, playing structured rugby with the help of a dominant scrum. It was then their turn to show their skill in the backs, Jacob Wynyard-Wright finishing in the corner. However, the home team were stung by this and scored two breakaway tries, showing great pace in their back division. IW again fought back through a good lineout set, their forwards dominating at close quarters for Luke Blackman to barge over.
Though behind on the scoreboard, the youthful IW side contested well, with notable defensive work when under pressure. Fountain Inn man of the match Harri Jones-Evans delivered some heavy tackles, and further pressure drew handling errors from Basingstoke, topped off as the returning Reuben Mitchell bundled over.
IW never could reel in the deficit, and were undone by injuries to Joey Hughes and Dan Bishop before Basingstoke created another brace of tries. As IW ran out of players, the hosts were good enough to even up the numbers. The visitors had the final say, benefiting from sharp work by one of the loan players to score on the wing, after another strong IW scrum. An injury to the referee ended the game four minutes early, with a clearcut win for the hosts, but an honourable effort by the Island side who thoroughly enjoyed the match.
This game brings the curtain down on the IW’s playing season, but they will look back on the year at their annual awards night on 23 April, while the club holds its AGM at the clubhouse on Wednesday 11 May, at 7.30 pm.
IW: Rolfe, Wynyard-Wright, Bettum, T Margham, Jones-Evans, L Margham, Elsom, Mitchell, Hughes, Davey, D Bishop, J Bishop, Jones, Cameron, Blackman, Keyes, Biles. 
