By Isle of Wight Observer
A dominant Ventnor side, leading 15-3 at the break, won 36-3 at home to Christchurch, in Counties Three, with tries from Ed Blake (2), Max Wheeler, Lewis Jones, Jake Babington and Layton Greatorex, with conversions from Wheeler (2) and Tom Crews. Nathan Frampton and Jones received yellow cards.
In Counties One, Sandown & Shanklin Hurricanes endured their first defeat of the season, after losing 43-32 at home to Basingstoke in an entertaining and high-scoring fixture. Trailing 12-24 at the break, strong performances from Michael Barrett, Rob Newton and Anthony Burr were not enough to narrow the deficit, and 2nd-placed Hurries are now 2 points above Basingstoke.
IW lost 44-14 away at Millbrook, with the score-line not a true reflection of a competitive match, with Millbrook exploiting defensive lapses. Player-of-the-match, Ben Hart, stood out driving through robust tackles, with one drive leading to a scrummage followed by a penalty quickly taken by skipper, Luke Blackman, to score under the posts. Front-rower Martin Newnham added another score, with conversions from George Huish, seeing the Island 21-14 down at the break. A solid Millbrook maintained their grip on the game, added to scores without conceding, and ran out convincing 44-14 winners to remain unbeaten.
In Hants Premiership South, Sandown & Shanklin 2nd XV won 86-7 away at Portsmouth III, topping the division after scoring 196 points in three matches, with Gary Warvill and George Finan having solid matches.
Ventnor lost 75-14 away at Fareham Heathens.
This weekend the Hurricanes travel to Eastleigh, IW welcome Winchester II, and Ventnor face Romsey. Ventnor II against Hurricanes II is being scheduled.
To view our on-line gallery of this week’s sport, visit iw.observer/299-sport.