RUGBYAlresford II 7, IW II 43
IW GOT back to winning ways with an emphatic victory at Alresford.
The home side were depleted and the Island donated them Noel Finn, Josh Collinson and later Brandon Frost-Jones, all of whom tackled their hearts out and helped to make the game competitive.
Foundations were laid for this victory in the opening half-hour, where a 24-point haul effectively put the Islanders out of reach.
After good performances in defeat in recent games, the IW targeted victory in this game, and began like a whirlwind. Forwards and backs combined well, and from a close-in ruck Lymington Precision Engineers man of the match Ali Downer was able to drive over for the opening score. Kieran Leahy converted.
Alresford responded but the IW immediately hit back, Ali Gates powering over for a converted effort.
Alresford’s only score of the half came shortly after, following an IW II back line error.
However, the IW were back on scoring terms, Martin Newnham crashing over.
The second half started much like the first, when centre Stuart Browne cut a straight line off a Will Peters pass and raced in untouched underneath the posts for another seven points.
Alresford showed good spirit throughout, and the next 20 minutes were something of a stalemate, as neither side were able to get the upper hand.
However, the Island finished the stronger, as Tom Love marked his return to the game after a long absence with an industrious performance, while Andy Puckett and replacement Simon Gilpin also impressed. An inside ball by Peters was taken on by Sandy Wilson, who jinked around a number of defenders to score, while Wilson then turned provider to free elusive wing Tom White, who sidestepped his man to score on the right.
Leahy narrowly missed the last conversion to spoil an otherwise perfect record from the placed ball, but it was immaterial as the Island celebrated victory.
IW II : Leahy, White, Browne, Phillips, Gates, Peters, Tyson, Newnham, Love, Scovell, Downer, Puckett, Frost-Jones, Wilson, Curran. Subs: Finn, Collinson, Gilpin, Howell.