Locks Heath Pumas 2nds 41-26 Isle of Wight 2nds
On a warm and sunny Saturday at Wide Lane, both sides served up plenty of tries and endeavour, with the home side emerging victorious. It was the first game for the IW seconds this season, and a first captaincy outing for flanker Rory Nobes. Bolstered by some guest players from Fordingbridge and Millbrook, his charges started well, as the initial Island drive and support enabled progress into the Pumas 22 for Tom Turtle to score.
The Island then conceded their first of many penalties of the day, allowing Pumas to take a quick tap and release their speedy winger to score a converted try. This was soon followed by a second try.
IW had a definite edge in the forwards for much of the game, turning over various scrums, but could not always capitalise with a number of players out of position in the backline. Nonetheless, Aaron Young impressed at fly-half while Syd Blease also showed up well on debut.
A yellow card for Jayme Bishop put the visitors under pressure. Despite this another promising forage into Pumas 22 was again penalised and with puzzlement as to the decision, Pumas launched another length of the field score, leaving a half time score of 19-5 in their favour.
Pumas were first to register a score in the second half, but from the following kick off, debutant Aidan Martin snatched the ball out of the air and caused havoc on his way to the line for a great score. Ricky Keyes converted.
Pumas added to their score to make it 31-12. Back came the Island with a try for Millbrook loanee Chad Marshall. Despite conceding a further try, the visitors fought back to score their fourth, with Rouse Ltd man of the match Martin’s second.
With both sides tiring, and after a yellow card for each side, skipper Rory Nobes receiving one for the Island, the score finished 41-26. Ricky Keyes converted three of the tries.
Next Saturday both Island teams are at home, 1st v Portsmouth 2s and 2nds v Trojans 2nds, 3pm kick offs at Wootton Rec.
IW II: Perry, Cox, Dick, Tattersall, Blease, Young, Blyth, Keyes, Turtle, Puzey, Martin, J Bishop, Marshall, Nobes ©, Cameron.
