IW II 15-45 Winchester III
Winchester completed the double over Isle of Wight RFC seconds with a clearcut win at Wootton Rec. General play was more competitive than the final score suggests, but the winners had the better of territory and possession and had enough of a cutting edge to make the most of their superiority.
The mainland side started strongly and were on the board inside 10 minutes with a well worked try, but IW shortly cancelled this out as a quick tap penalty saw debutant fly-half Harry Rumens race clear from near halfway. As the game settled, Winchester employed a shrewd kicking game, which kept IW pinned back for long periods, especially as the lineout was something of a lottery and they could never count on winning their own ball. Furthermore, while the IW defence did not lack in courage, they were a bit disorganised and presented some doglegs to their opposition, which were exploited for two tries (one converted) to give Winchester a 17-5 lead after 30 minutes.
IW looked good in possession throughout, playing structured rugby and making ground up the middle. This led to a fine score shortly before half-time, Dan Bishop and Fountain Inn man of the match Ollie Boulter making inroads, before slick hands from the backs saw Jacob Wynyard-Wright plunge over in the corner.
Trailing 17-10 at the break, IW harboured hopes of turning the game around, but Winchester regained momentum and dominated the second half. Their outstanding no. 13 caused IW no end of issues, and though the hosts defended better for most of the second half, they were not helped by the loss of captain Steve Dixon to injury. Some of Winchester’s play was of a very high standard, and in spite of not doing too much wrong, IW conceded four tries in the course of the second half.
IW had their moments too, with scrum-half Dave Hanson and hooker Sam McQueen excelling. There was a flashpoint out of keeping with a sportingly contested game with five minutes remaining as a Winchester player was red-carded for throwing a punch, with Harry Cameron seeing yellow for his reaction. IW took advantage of the extra space on the pitch and were rewarded for their determination with the final score of the match, a super try very similar to their score just before half-time, as Michael Joyce slid over out wide.
The Islanders are again at home next Saturday, when they play host to Hook & Odiham.
IW: Rolfe, M Joyce, Langdon, O’Keeffe, Wynyard-Wright, Rumens, Hanson, D Bishop, McQueen, S Lavell, Dixon, Boulter, Jones, Nobes, Cameron. Replacements: J Bishop, T Groves, Stretch.
