By Isle of Wight Observer
Island sides lost on and off the Island, despite dogged defensive displays, with many suffering player absences. Sandown, IW, and Ventnor will be looking to bounce back this weekend.
In Counties One, Sandown & Shanklin Hurricanes will be disappointed to have lost 48-19 to leaders, Havant, after taking an early 7-point lead through a Harry Thomas try and Max Fletcher conversion. The Islanders will be disappointed not to have scored again, until Fletcher crossed the line on 70 minutes, followed by a Hugo Jolliffe try and Fletcher conversion to finish losing 19-48.
IW also lost 52-0 away to 3rd-placed Fareham Heathens, in Division Two, although player-of-the-match, George Huish, added spark to the Islanders’ attack. The loss of Ricky Keyes early on caused problems for IW, and gave Fareham momentum which they exploited.
In Counties Three, Ventnor lost 25-17 away at Southampton, although there was abrasive tackling from Lewy Morton, Joe Coghlan and Dan Lythgoe, with Alec Bulpitt and Tom Crews exploiting any errors from Southampton. Max Wheeler clipped a post, for the Islanders, with a penalty attempt, and Ed Blake almost got round the defence with a characteristic arcing run. Just before the break, 6ft 4in Jason Coltham stretched over for an excellent try, reducing the deficit to 10-5.
The second half saw continued graft from second-row player-of-the-match, Ewan Castle, and Southampton conceded territory, yellow cards and a penalty try for Ventnor to lead 12-10. An injured and repaired Iain Reeves stayed on to contribute stoically.
When front rower, George Collett, crossed to the level the scores at 17-17, Ventnor hoped for something out of a match that saw four yellow cards to Southampton and a sending off, but the home-side added more scores to run out as winners.
Premiership South’s Ventnor 2nd XV lost 34-26 at home to New Milton, with Tim Davis having another solid game for the Island side. Ventnor were disappointed not to press home territorial advantage and maintain early momentum.
This weekend, the Hurricanes travel to 3rd-placed Gosport & Fareham, IW are home to Petersfield, and Ventnor welcome Eastleigh. Hurries II are away at New Milton, Ventnor II home to Portsmouth III, and IW II XV home to Petersfield III.
To view our on-line gallery of this week’s sport, visit iw.observer/304-sport.