By Isle of Wight Observer
IW Rangers won 55-7 at home to Winchester, in Counties Three, with hooker, Sam McQueen, scoring early following a well-worked move from a line-out, before quickly adding a second for a 12-0 lead.
However, the Islanders conceded territory, and lost player-of-the-match, Ben Hart, to a yellow card on the line, allowing the visitors to score a try under the posts. Strong carries from Ben Sanderson and the returning Callum Pudney helped create tries for Will Marsh and George Huish, giving Rangers a 24-7 lead at half-time.
Improved handling and possession saw Rangers gain greater control of the match, dominating the line-outs and scrums against a tiring Winchester side. McQueen completed his hat-trick, and Huish also celebrated a trio of tries, as well as five conversions, with Luke Blackman and Harri Jones-Evans, adding further scores. The memorable victory extended Rangers’ unbeaten home record to 12 months.
Sandown Hurricanes lost their Counties One encounter 47-14 away to a strong and competitive Farnham side, who led 19-14 at the break. First-half tries from Zak Chiverton and Tom Marriott, both converted by Tommy Scourfield, provided the Hurricanes’ points, with Matthew Miselbach named player-of-the-match.
The II XV were awarded a home win against New Milton.
Ventnor narrowly lost 27-20 at home to Fordingbridge, in Counties Two, with Alec Bulpitt scoring a try for the Island side, and Josh Ford adding two conversions and two penalties.
IW Rangers II XV fielded a strong side to overcome Ventnor II XV 34-12, in a competitive and keenly contested friendly. Rangers half-backs, Alex Augustus and Aaron Young, set the tone, allowing player-of-the-match, Nathan Tombleson, and Andy Brown to drive forward, with hooker, Dan Tennant, and Ian Puzey scoring the opening tries.
Although an injury in the 1st XV match, reduced IW to 14 players, Rangers had the edge in the scrum, with Augustus collecting a loose ball and finding winger, Finlay Lockhart, playing his first game in two years, for the third try of the half. Experienced Dan Stirrup added a fourth and fifth try, along with a conversion, to give IW a 29-0 lead at the break.
The second half was more evenly balanced, with Karl Davey showing tireless determination, and debutant forward, James Harris, looking promising. Prince Motsinze scored his first try for the club to make it 34-0, before the visitors took advantage of Lockhart being shown a yellow card, but scoring twice with a conversion.