RUGBYRyde 7, Eastleigh 19
SKILL and frustration were blended in this home encounter against Eastleigh.
With both teams scoring just one converted try, the difference came down to penalties, pragmatism and luck.
Ryde were compelled to make many positional changes due to a lengthy injury list, with Ben Cox stepping into the front row, Joe Sayers making his impressive debut, and Dave Green making a welcome return to action for the club.
As Ryde tried to play all the rugby, with captain Adam Moody intercepting an early ball and being brought down just short of the line, Eastleigh were studiously kicking penalties to take a 9-0 lead into the interval.
Ryde continued to apply pressure through all the channels, with Moody eventually driven over, following a well-constructed approach, to bring the score to 7-9.
This respite was short lived as Eastleigh immediately kicked a fourth penalty.
Deep into the second half, Eastleigh were by no means safe until they seized upon a lucky break.
A grubber ball, straight at Ryde’s counter-attacking fullback, Tom Blackwell, failed to travel as it stuck in the mud and they took their fortuitous try under the posts.
Ryde take on Fareham Heathens tomorrow (Satur-day) at home.