By Isle of Wight Observer
Sandown & Shanklin Hurricanes lost 46-15 away at Basingstoke, in Counties One, and player of the match Zak Chiverton scoring a penalty to trail 24-3 at the break. There were 2 tries in the second half from Michael Barrett and Luke Gales, with Basingstoke returning 3 scores in the last 10 minutes.
Ventnor 1st XV were awarded a home win against Portsmouth.
Ventnor II XV narrowly lost 29-12 in the Hampshire premiership away to Fawley II XV, after acting skipper, Warren Riches’s side were delayed by visibility in the Solent. The Islanders saw Ed Blake red carded for dissent after 12 minutes. He was replaced by Josh Ford when 20 minutes were up. Conceding early penalties, Ventnor’s front row responded with fortitude, with Ian Reeves, Henrik Brown, and player-of-the-match, Grant Richardson, holding their own, backed up by Sean Frampton and Ewan Castle in the engine room. Fawley were restricted to a 19-0 lead at the break.
After the break Fawley scored again, with Ventnor wingers, Luke Starkey and Ollie Wood, geeing into the match. Will Broomfield drove over for a score, with Ford converting for 24-7. After conceding again, Fawley were reduced to 14 after another red card, and Ford found the industrious Grant Richardson to finish 29-12.
Isle of Wight were awarded an away win at Eastleigh, and enjoyed a ‘friendly’ encounter with Tottonians, ahead of their derby at Ventnor before Christmas.
Unbeaten Sandown & Shanklin II XV – the Tornadoes – convincingly won 83-17 at home to Chichester III, with Keegan Boudier opening the scoring under the posts early in the match. There were further tries from Ricky Keyes (2), Nathan Proud (2), George Shannon (2), Jamie Dilk, Will Hatch, Kurtis Whale, Reuben Venables, Max Henley, and Freddie Sheath, with conversions from Nathan Proud (5) and Ricky Keyes (4). The victory sees the Tornadoes remain at the top of Premiership South East.
After the match skipper, Jamie Dilk, said: “With wonder tries from Ricky Keyes and then converting them as well, Ricky has great promise and we can’t wait to see him back on the field! Another stand-out player was Freddie Sheath, who had an outstanding game at 10, dominating the field from start to finish.”
Youth Rugby
Vectis Youth Vectis Colts won 31-0 at home to Trojans Falcons, in Hants Division Three Bowl. Aaron Robinson opened the scoring, John Waghorn added a second, with Preston Williams converting. Jack Coates added another score, and Jack Price made it 24-0 at the break. Lee Crayton’s long run and touchdown extended the lead, with Price’s conversion making it 31-0 at the finish.
The U-16s lost 26-17 to Trojans, with Finlay Brown putting in hard work and determination, returning with 2 tries, supported by Mason Miller in defence.
The U-15s lost to Locksheath 43-21, with 3 converted tries, rounding off a week that also saw a training session involving ex-Saracens player, Loz Salisbury.