Counties 2 leaders, Sandown & Shanklin Hurricanes, narrowly lost 29-27 away at Guernsey, but retain a 6 point lead with two matches remaining. The Channel Islanders took an early lead, with Antony Burr’s penalty making it 14-3. Converted tries from skipper, Jacob Jordan, and George Finan secured a 15-14 half-time lead. Sam Tyson and Ash Smith added further tries and a one point lead with seconds to go, but the Hurries conceded a penalty and narrowly lost 29-27. However they also finished with two bonus points and the league in their own hands.

In Counties 3, IW lost 38-10 at home to Havant III. With a determined defence led by player-of-the-match, Cameron Browne, and strong line-outs, the Islanders scored through Ian Puzey. However injuries gave the visitors advantage and momentum, and Havant ran out 38-10 winners. Points deduction to Overton moved the Islanders to 3rd place.

Ventnor also lost 37-26 at home to Aldershot & Fleet in an end-to-end encounter, with the score-line not a fair reflection of Ventnor’s efforts. Veterans, Todd Riches and Adam Pratt Jr with Ben Cooper, joined an unsettled side, and trailed 14-0 early on, but Ventnor fought back when Fred Fairman scored under the posts, with full-back, Ed Blake, converting. The visitors scored again, with Ventnor replying with a well worked move involving Joe Coghlan and Lewy Morton, with assistance from lifters Andy Teague and Jason Coltham, gaining a good ball from a line-out. This resulted in a try for Riches after a strong run from back-rower, Guy Entwistle. Aldershot & Fleet rallied to score again and lead 24-14 at the break.

The second half started as player-of-the-match, Ryan Cooper, put Morton in for a try under the posts, with Blake converting to narrow the gap to 24-21 with the momentum seemingly with the home side. Ryan Cooper broke away to find Riches crossing for his second try and a 26-24 lead, however tiredness and errors crept in and Aldershot responded with a converted try and 2 penalties, running off 37-24 winners.

In Counties 5, Ventnor 2nd XV lost 29-19 away at New Milton, in their first match of 2024. The Islanders started strongest, with forceful drives from Bob Parker and Harry Colson edging close to the New Milton line. From there Ross Harris and Dan Muir engineered a move that sent player-of-the-match, Gary Ball, barrelling over for a try that Warren Riches converted with only three minutes gone. Injuries saw veteran Dean Magnurson and Kyle Draper replaced. Powerful moves from Will Broomfield and James Green couldn’t add to the score or stop the home side scoring, with Jim Pemberton and Layton Greatorex working to secure good position. Jack Gilbey came on for his debut whilst the excellent Harry Ottley moved to scrum-half before the break with the Islanders 12-7 behind.

After the break, Chris Skelley led the way with some storming drives supported by Colson, Gavin Davis and Ewan Castle, with Skelley finishing one move with a try, conceding more points. Ventnor’s Iain Reeves, another debutant, secured possession for Parker to crash over with conversion. The final whistle blew to confirm New Milton winning 29-19 and securing the League Five South championship.

This weekend, the Hurries welcome 4th-placed United Services Portsmouth, Ventnor travel to Overton and IW are away at Aldershot & Fleet.