In a game affected by wet and windy conditions, Isle of Wight Rugby Football Club’s 1st team went down to an Ellingham & Ringwood side – who showed a little more awareness of the conditions at vital times in the game – at home on Saturday (6th October).
The Island pack dominated at the scrum, regularly driving and disrupting the visitors. Playing with the wind proved advantageous as Lewis Murray slotted the first of his 6 penalties. Ellingham RFC responded as tackles were missed and took a 7-3 lead. Murray then slotted over from 49 metres and then from 40 metres.
Ellingham’s response was a further try, before Murray again kicked the Island to a 12 all score. He then cleared the posts from the half way line for the Island to take a 15-12 half time lead.
It wasn’t long until Ellingham drew level with a penalty of their own, but Murray added his sixth to put the Isle of Wight team 18-15 in front.
This was by no means a one man performance as debutant Connor Grant, James Reed (starting at scrum half for the first time), James Webster and Ollie Boulter, were all to the fore in driving the Island forward.
However the visitors were quicker to pounce on loose ball caused by the conditions and added 2 further tries to wrap up the game.
Next Saturday the Islands 1st XV have a week off, while the 2nd team play Ventnor away.
IWRFC 18-29 Ellingham & Ringwood
Rouse Ltd Man of the Match: Ollie Boulter
Biffa Player of the Day: Ollie Boulter
IWRFC Team: C Grant, J Sweetman, M Smith, L Blackman, A Rann, L Murray, J Reed, E Lynch, I Bennett, J Webster, O Boulter, G Smith, M Newnham, S McQueen, I Puzey, A Raunigger, K Blackburn and M Joyce
