By Isle of Wight Observer
In Counties One, Sandown & Shanklin Hurricanes lost 64-38 in a high-scoring match at Bognor. Ash Smith (2), Ben Kulik, Darren Carew, Jack Davey and Matt Miselbach scored tries, and player-of-the-match, Zak Chiverton, slotted over 4 conversions.
Counties Three saw IWRFC losing 45-22 away to a strong Portsmouth II XV. A turn-over, by David Blackman, allowed in-form George Huish to clear, and the chase led to an Island penalty, which Huish slotted over. Momentum swung to Portsmouth who soon led 19-3, followed by injuries to Dan Ward, Will Marsh and David Blackman.
After the break, player-of-the-match, Sam McQueen, inspired a response, with several drives into the Pompey 22. A penalty into the corner set up an Island line-out, frustratingly leading to a try for Portsmouth. This spurred the Islanders on, with McQueen taking a quick tap penalty to score from 5 metres, to see the Islanders trail 38-15. This was followed by another Portsmouth score and a Huish try, for the match to finish 45-22. However there were several positives for the Island side, including an impressive debut for Toby Bachelor.
Also in Counties Three, unbeaten Ventnor maintain their early-season form, winning 54-14 at home to a strong Tottonians II side, with a jubilant Jacob Jordan scoring a hat-trick of tries. Other scores came from Harvey Wheeler, Hayden Lythgoe, player-of-the-match Jewy Jones, Tom Scadden and Ben Souter, with 7 conversions from Josh Ford, to complete a famous victory remaining top of the division.
Ventnor II XV faced a strengthened Tottonians side, and battled bravely to lose 64-10, with Ed Blake scoring 2 tries and sharing the player-of-the-match award with debutant, Ben Mumford.
Isle of Wight Observer