RUGBYAlresford 5, IW 9
A DETERMINED Alresford made IW work hard for another victory in their quest for the Hampshire Two league title.
Most of the possible weather conditions were thrown at both sets of players, causing a slippery ball and muddy underfoot conditions.
It was a credit to the players that the ball was moved about so much.
From the start, the Island asserted their forward pressure, playing up the slope and pinning back the home side. Only rushed opportunities or spilt ball seemed to prevent the visitors from scoring.
It was some 30 minutes before their first points, a Gareth Paisley penalty, were on the board. This was to be the only score of a frustrating half for the Island.
Turning round, the visitors tore into their hosts, driving them back time and again yet could not cross the line. Instead, two Paisley penalties were their only reward.
An interception by the Alresford centre, who then chipped ahead, led to the first try conceded by the Island since December.
With Chris Williams controlling the game, a standoff and the forwards with Sandy Wilson, James Curran and Lymington Precision Engineers man of the match Martin Newnham to the fore up front, the Island continued to pressure Alresford back in their own 22 and kill off the game.
Although not the prettiest of wins, with some ten first team members unavailable, it was a win for the depth and determination of this club to achieve their goal of the division title.
IW: Browne, Gilpin, Paisley, Peters, Gates, Williams, Cotter, Puckett, Wilson, Curran, Church, Thomas, Jennings, Newnham, Metcalfe.