Narrow Isle of Wight loss in ‘game of two halves’

IN THEIR first match in almost a month, the Isle of Wight seconds were narrowly defeated in a remarkable encounter.

Rarely can the cliché ‘a game of two halves’ have been more apt, as a dramatic Isle of Wight comeback just fell agonisingly short at Wootton Rec on Saturday.

The seconds, who were given a baptism of fire following last season’s promotion, have gradually adapted to life in Hampshire 2 and entered the Bognor game with hopes of victory.

Martin Newnham (with the ball) on the attack for Isle of Wight II against Bognor II at Wootton Rec on Saturday.

However, confidence was dealt a severe blow in the opening half hour as Isle of Wight played some of their worst rugby this season.

Playing into the wind, a combination of passive defence, poor tackling and blunders when in possession combined to leave Isle of Wight with a mountain to climb, as Bognor amassed a rapid 38-0 lead.

Isle of Wight's Luke Blackman touches down against Bognor II in a remarkable match on Saturday.

Battling performances from Nick Blyth and debutant, Kris Roberts, and a superior Island scrum, provided something worth writing home about.

The Isle of Wight scrum began to splinter the Bognor pack in the set piece, which led to a yellow card for an opposition player, followed by a pushover try by the industrious Adam Groves, converted by Gary Warvill, which reduced the deficit at half-time.

The second half was an entirely different game as Isle of Wight, playing with the breeze, played some impressive rugby.

Jacob Wyngard-Wright scores a try for Isle of Wight II against Bognor II.

With the loss of Bognor discipline and another man in the sin bin, the Islanders capitalised, with tries by Luke Blackman and Kevin Blackburn to narrow the gap to 21 points.

Bognor, back at full strength, dug in, but Isle of Wight had their tails up and scored the pick of the tries.

Strong driving play by the forwards was followed by swift handling from the backs, which gave Jacob Wyngard-Wright his first try for the club.

Isle of Wight II's Gary Warvill kicks a conversion.

Two more tries were scored by Blackman, including one deep into injury time, for his hat-trick, plus a Warvill conversion.

Stoppage time continued for a few more minutes and Isle of Wight mounted one more attack and were awarded a five-metre scrum, but Bognor anticipated the Island’s move from the base and were able to turn the ball over, to end the game with an Isle of Wight defeat.

Isle of Wight did, however, earn two bonus points.

Isle of Wight II line-up: Marriott, Wyngard-Wright, Hooper, Browne, Langdon, Warvill, Blyth, Blackburn, Roberts, Newnham, Wheale, Bishop, Jones, Bennett, Groves. Replacements: Smith, Blackman, Brown.