The three senior Island sides overcame harsh conditions to beat mainland opposition, with Ventnor reinforcing their lead at the top of Counties Three, and Rangers notching up their first win of the season.

Sandown & Shanklin Hurricanes won 13-10 at home to Millbrook, in Counties One. There was an early try for Damien Seder, followed by a score from Michael Barrett, with Zak Chiverton converting in blustery conditions. Luke Hunter was named player-of-the-match.

Ventnor won 23-7 at home to a powerful Winchester Three side, with Jewy Jones crashing over, following an early maul after Cody Haydan dominated the line-out. This was followed by Josh Ford slotting home a penalty, after driving work from Jack Rushton, Lewis Jones and Dan Lythgoe, and a 8-0 half-time lead.

Winchester capitalised on a Ventnor mistake after the break, but strong carries, from Harvey Wheeler and Hayman, restored the home side’s momentum. Max Wheeler then powered over for Ventnor’s second try, before skipper, Lewy Morton, extended the lead. Lythgoe added the bonus-point try after good build-up play from Ed Blake and George Collett, with Tom Crews converting to seal a 25–7 victory. The result maintains their winning run at Watcombe, and keeps the team at the top of Counties Three.

Also in Counties Three, Isle of Wight won their first match of the season, 32-5, at home to Aldershot & Fleet in rain and strong winds. Dan Ward and George Huish kicked with pinpoint accuracy to secure territory, and Huish scored on the blind-side from a scrum for 5-0 after 11 minutes, followed by Ward extending the lead before injury forced a substitution. A drive from Kevin Blackburn stopped short for Huish to score again for the Islanders to lead 22-5 at half-time.

Facing the strong wind, the Island’s tactics saw more carries, from replacements Joe Bussell and Prince Mutsinze. Skipper, Luke Blackman, avoided tackles to complete a half-way line run, and centres, Harri Jones-Evans and Ben Sanderson, who went on to score in his debut match, were relentless in their work-rate. Sam McQueen at hooker was awarded player-of-the-match for his determination.

Hurricanes 2nd XV secured a 21-17 win away, at leaders Locks Heath Pumas. There were tries from George Shannon, Jack Winter, and Darren Carew. Sam Flux added 3 conversions, and Tom Sewell put on a player-of-the-match performance.

Skipper, Jamie Dilk, commented: “What a brilliant game of rugby! When I asked the lads for nothing but grit and heart, they gave exactly that. When Ricky Keyes and others can come back on with one leg and still scrum, that’s what makes this team a brotherhood.

Ventnor II XV lost 67-0 away at New Milton, with a squad built on heart not numbers. Stoic performances from debutant, Luke Starkey, Ross Harris, skipper, Warren Riches, Riley Lloyd, Ollie Wood, Iain Reeves, and Sean and Nathan Frampton, were not enough to staunch the flow of tries from a dominant New Milton side.