By Isle of Wight Observer
The three senior Island sides faced stiff mainland opposition, and player availability issues, but, despite defeats, will be heartened by the character of performances and the ‘play to the final whistle’ mindset of the respective squads.
In Counties One, Guernsey Vikings II beat Sandown & Shanklin Hurricanes 35-26 in a testing encounter, with the Channel Islanders leading 15-7 at the break. A first-half try from Sandown’s Wayne ‘Wonder’ Williams, was converted by Sam Flux.
Pressure from Hugo Joliffe, Sam Thomas and Sam Flux was rewarded with a carry from player-of-the-match, Luke Wedderkopp, ending with Zak Chiverton scoring under the posts. This was followed by the Vikings reduced to 14 men following a yellow card, and Chris Ormerod scoring in the corner for a 19-25 deficit.
Debutant, Jordan Langdon, gave new energy to the Hurries, with Zak Chiverton getting his 2nd try of the afternoon, and Hurries 4th for losing bonus point, with the final 35-26 result a fair reflection of a bruising battle. The Hurries added 2 scrum penalties and a converted try, to get to four points behind. Although they added a further score, the final result was a fair reflection of a bruising battle. Despite the loss the extra point will see the Hurries play in Hampshire Counties One next season.
A heavily depleted Isle of Wight team lost 72-12 away at Fordingbridge, in Counties Two. Player-of-the-match Aaron Young finished off a set-piece penalty before the break. The second half saw more endeavour without points, before player-coach, David Blackman, sniped over, with Dan Ward adding the conversion, for the match to finish 72-12 to see the Island finishing bottom in the division.
Ventnor, travelling with a delayed 16-player squad, lost 45-26 away at runaway leaders Andover II. The Counties Three friendly fixture saw the hosts scoring early. The Islanders responded when Dan Lythgoe, ever-committed Iain Reeves and skipper, Ben Savill, kept up the pressure so that Lewy Morton was able to burrow over for a try, which Ed Blake converted for Ventnor. Despite conceding again, the Islanders’ scrum held firm with Henrik Brown and George Collett defiant. Alec Bulpitt and Harvey Wheeler combined to release player-of-the-match, Ben Souter, to be denied for a toe-in-touch, but Souter soon scored for Blake, to convert for a narrow lead amid the introduction of 1st-team-debutant, Sean Frampton.
Lewis Jones managed a line-out ball, with Jack Gilbey exploiting an opportunity with a dummy line. Blake scored and then converted for a 21-12 lead, which Andover recovered from to lead 26-21 at the break.
Andover’s superior numbers, fitness and class dominated the second half, adding more points, before Bulpitt and Frampton drove down the left flank, and Blake scored the try of the match. The team then conceded a late score to lose 45-26 leaving Andover maintaining their unbeaten record.
The Hurricanes next play on April 5, when they are away at Ellingham & Ringwood, with Ventnor away at Aldershot & Fleet. IW will travel to Locks Heath Pumas, the Pumas having withdrawn from the league but able to host ‘friendlies’.
To view our on-line gallery of this week’s sport, visit iw.observer/321-sport.