By Isle of Wight Observer
The three Island teams suffered disappointing defeats against strong mainland sides, but with some fine individual performances and defiant defensive displays.
Sandown & Shanklin Hurricanes narrowly lost 41-34 away at 4th-placed Eastleigh Pirates. The Hants Counties One match saw the Hurries securing try and losing bonus points to drop to third place. Ash Smith put in a strong performance from full-back, and fly-half Sam Tyson took the attack to a strong Eastleigh side.
In Counties Two, Isle of Wight lost 74-13 at home to table-topping Winchester, with the visitors dominant from kick-off. Reliable George Huish scored from two penalties, and converted Brad Martin’s lone try for a battling Island side.
Ventnor lost 45-19 at home to Romsey in League Three, with Dan Lythgoe, Lewis Jones and player-of-the-match Jack Rushton winning the front row scrum tussle. The side conceded territory and early points, but a huge downfield kick by Fred Fairman, with interplay between Joe Coghlan, Ed Blake and Ben Souter set Lewis Jones up to open the scoring for the Islanders. This was followed by another kick for Ben Cooper, replacing Tom Crews, to dive over for a try which Souter converted to narrow the score to 12-14 at the break.
With Iain Reeves coming on for his 1st XV debut, a rejigged Ventnor lost momentum and leaked five tries without reply. Sub Louis Wyatt roused the crowd with a blistering run, and the ref awarded a penalty try. Ventnor will be disappointed with an under-par performance and hope for better at the weekend.
Ventnor are also mourning the sad loss of former player, Joey Valvona, a larger-than-life character and Ventnorian from the early days. A spokesman for the club said they have him, and his family, in their thoughts at this time.
Tomorrow (Saturday), sees Hurricanes welcome 10th-placed Trojans, with the 2nds home to Tottonians III. IW travel to 2nd-placed Havant and Ventnor 1st XV play at Overton and the 2nd XV at Millbrook.
Junior rugby
Vectis U-9 squad braved the elements and took two teams to Worthing festival at the weekend, where they had a fantastic result.
They played 9 games, won 8 and drew 1.
To view our on-line gallery of this week’s sport, visit iw.observer/300-sport.