RUGBY
IW II 17, Southsea Nomads II 10
IW II needed to produce their best against a strong Southsea Nomads side — and delivered.
The hosts were under pressure early on, spending much of the opening quarter in their own 22 but defending excellently. Having weathered the storm, they then put together some lovely driving and offloading play, which culminated with Angus Brown setting up Reuben Mitchell to score.
A 15-minute period of exceptional rugby followed from the hosts. The forward pack exerted their will, with Ross McAdam, Neil Harrison and Mark Westley standing out and when Colman Cotter took a quick penalty ten metres out from the Nomads’ line, centre Andy Brown crashed over.
The IW soon added to their lead as Tom Love touched down under the posts after a blistering break from Dave Tanner, converted by Cotter to open a 17-0 lead.
Nomads got back into the game when they capitalised on some loose IW play, making it 17-5 at the break.
And in the second half, Nomads redoubled their efforts and scored with 20 minutes left to get them within a score. Nerves were jangled even more when Love was sin-binned for a ruck infringement.
But some great IW defence, led by the likes of Carl Folkes and Rouse Ltd man of the match Martin Tanner, Josh Collinson and Charlie Appell proved crucial.
IW: Collinson, Coates, Angus Brown, Andy Brown, Mitchell, Harley, Cotter, D. Tanner, Love, M. Tanner, Harrison, McAdam, Joyce, Wallace, Westley. Subs: Appell, Merry, Leitch, Ridley, Brine, Folkes.