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TOUR DE FORCE FOR YOUNGSTERS

Friday, April 18, 2008
Sport/Rugby
A WIN, a draw and a loss were the mixed bag of on-field results during the Vectis Under-13s tour to Dorset but overall organisers judged the event a major triumph.
The 26 players, accompanied by 30 parents and coaches, began on Saturday at Lytchett Minster and took part in a three-team tournament at Blandford on Sunday.
Lytchett Minster 7, Vectis 24
Tom Dudhill scored two tries and was awarded Wightlink backs’ man of the match in a strong Vectis performance. The Islanders were first out of the blocks and good work from Peter Newell allowed Dudhill to race away and score in the corner, living up to his tour name of Whippet.
After the interval, the home side hit back, when poor defence allowed a Lytchett player to run virtually the length of the pitch to score.
Vectis regained the lead when Speedy Hire forwards’ man of the match Tom Gadd powered over after an excellent move. Peter Newell converted.
Will Marsh then stole the ball and broke through the home defence for the third Vectis try, which Ben Buckingham converted, before Dudhill got his second after slick passing along the backs.

Sherbourne 15, Vectis 12
TOUR tiredness seemed to be setting in as the strong Sherbourne backs went over twice in the first five minutes to put the IW side on the back foot.
However, the visitors started a fightback when the impressive Gadd started a move, which ended with Stuart King scoring in the corner. Peter Newell added a good conversion.
After the break, Sherbourne again ran clear to make the score 15-7 before Tristan Hall replied with a second try to set up a tense final five minutes.
Peter Newell was Wightlink’s backs’ man of the match and Ben Ridley took the Speedy Hire forwards’ award.

Blandford 5, Vectis 5
VECTIS were unlucky not to grab another victory, being held up twice on or near the line in the final match of the tour.
Guy Entwhistle crashed over in the opening few minutes, after following up his own kick through and setting up a Vectis pressure move.
The home team’s equaliser came in the second half, thanks to a quick lineout and a strong break.
Tom Marriott was Wightlink’s backs’ man of the match and Reuben Mitchell took the Speedy Hire forwards’ accolade.
Squad: Marsh, Buckingham, Skittlethorpe, Dudhill, Hall, Marriott, A. Newell, P. Newell, Hudd, Norman, King, Cooper, Gadd, Bilton, Entwhistle, Hatch, Gregory, Clarke, Overton, Penner, Wallace, Toogood, Mitchell, Metcalfe, Ridley, Hodder, Griffiths.
• Picture in the Friday, April 18, County Press.