Isle of Wight 52-14 Ellingham & Ringwood II
IW got back to winning ways with a comprehensive scoreline over lowly Ellingham & Ringwood (ER) at sunny Wootton Rec, avenging a last-gasp defeat in the return fixture back in November.
With several enforced changes, IW took a little time to settle into the fixture, taking 12 minutes to open the scoring after a bout of pressure ended with Luke Blackman making a break and passing to hooker Sam McQueen to score near the uprights. IW’s best move of the match followed, as full-back George Huish showed his pace to finish off a good phase of team play.
Man of the match Fin Vickers operated well at scrum-half and flanker David Blackman was a powerhouse as always, as IW continued their dominance, though it was a clearance kick from ER that led to their third try, Huish running it back with interest and crossing almost untouched. The visitors then had a promising attacking position, but McQueen intercepted well inside his own half, and showed remarkable pace for a front-row forward to charge the remaining distance to the try line with the help of a timely hand-off. This try gave his team the try bonus after only 25 minutes, leading 28-0.
With the outcome more or less decided, IW became sloppy and did not play to their patterns for the remainder of the match. They also did little right in the eyes of the referee from then on, Ben Savill surprisingly yellow-carded after a scrum reset. ER showed spirit and exploited slack IW defence to open their account, though IW finished the half on the up, their rampant scrum setting up the opportunity before powerful no. 8 Joe Bussell barrelled over. Huish converted all five first half tries and IW led 35-7 at the short whistle.
If the first half had been a bit scrappy, the second half was worse. IW had much the stronger team but played as individuals too often, while they were whistled off the park throughout. Their scrum was still in control and Bussell was able to score his second from a pushover try. Another try followed shortly before the midway point of the half, captain Luke Blackman showing the way forward by going direct and bulldozing a would-be defender to score. Huish was soon to complete his hat-trick as IW brought up the half-century, his points tally reaching 27 with six conversions added.
The last 15 minutes bordered on farcical, as IW were marched down the pitch by a series of penalties, incurring two contentious yellow cards for replacement George Amer, and then Huish as ER pressed for a consolation score. In spite of some eye-catching tackles by Ted Southgate on the wing, they succeeded in doing so, a reward in staying in the game and not giving up. IW extended their unbeaten home run to six, but will be honest with themselves in reviewing this poor performance overall. This win does move them up to second in the table, though the teams directly below them have games in hand. They travel to Tottonians II on Saturday.
The club would like to thank man of match sponsor Ollie Boulter and match ball sponsor Paul Fincham.
IW: Huish, Wynyard-Wright, Marsh, Sanderson, J Bishop, L Blackman, Vickers, Thorne, McQueen, Savill, Blackburn, D Bishop, Bennett, D Blackman, Bussell. Replacements: Amer, Webster, Southgate.
