VECTIS RFC 0,

ELLINGHAM & RINGWOOD 31

IN A match much closer than the scoreline suggests, Vectis Colts took on Elligham and Ringwood on the IW on Sunday.

Vectis kicked off into a stiff breeze and were immediately put under pressure by the visitors running forwards.

Putting in a solid defensive display, King led from the front with support from Clifford and Puckett.

The visitors initially dominated possession and looked to move the ball to speedy wingers and, although the Vectis defence held, it was not long before Ringwood were able to travel round the defence and score wide out.

The home side’s scrummage and line-out worked well and provided good possession. Captain and man of the match, Jack Sothcott, worked hard to get his back line moving. Newton was effective in getting across the gain line and Browne and Whale also proved elusive.

Ringwood’s own defence was solid and they were able to turn over possession too easily at times, allowing them the opportunity to score twice more before the break.

Good use of the wind in the second half got Vectis in to the visitors end of the pitch for long periods. However, they were not able to convert this pressure into points.

Losing Samuels to a shoulder injury meant scrummages went uncontested, and Ringwood made better use of the scrum ball.

They were able to score twice in the second half before Vectis had their best spell.

Strong carries from Poynter-Chard and the returning Malkin got Vectis behind Ringwood’s defence and Newton came close to a score before being held up.

The match closed without a score for the Vectis team, but they look to improve this result when they face Tottonians Colts this Sunday.

Vectis: Samuels, Millar, Jones-Evans, Poynter-Chard, Smith, Clifford, Puckett, Farrant, King, Franklin, Sothcott, Newton, Browne, Broome, Malkin, Whale, Webb.