IW go in for a scrum, visible scrum half Brett Evans, prop Cameron Clark, and flanker Nathan Tombleson. Picture by Robin Crossley.
PICTURE GALLERY
RUGBYIW 27, Farnborough 22
IW ALMOST let a good lead turn into defeat at Wootton Recreation Ground on Saturday, but the side held on to take the win and a bonus point to boost their position in Hampshire One.
The hosts were far superior to their mainland counterparts, who had a couple of shining lights in their line-up, and should have won by a far bigger margin.
However, a lapse in the last ten minutes and some wayward kicking throughout kept Farnborough in it to the very end.
IW made a flying start with great running through the backs, particularly from Chris Williams. His third foray into Farnborough’s 22 resulted in the first score, as he offloaded to Martin Dedman to score. Williams’ conversion was missed.
Farnborough responded with a try from their immense centre eight minutes later to level the scores, before IW missed a penalty kick.
On the half hour, IW scored another unconverted try, this time Nathan Tombleson crashing over in a carbon copy of IW’s first effort. And with three minutes left on the half, front row Martin Newnham broke away to score under the posts. Williams’s conversion, 12 yards out and in front of goal, somehow went wide.
The second half started as the first had ended, with another try as Dan Stirrup scored with an excellent weaving run from inside his own half. This time it was converted, to make it 22-5.
Farnborough came back with a try of their own after a great driving move but IW cancelled it out immediately with a lovely try, started from a tap penalty and finishing with Richard Crossland going over.
With a 17-point advantage IW looked home and dry but for the remaining 20 minutes, IW were camped in their own half as Farnborough played a patient game.
And when Stirrup was given a yellow card with minutes left, they took full advantage. They scored two tries, one converted, to bring the score to within five points, but time ran out for them as IW held on.
IW: Clarke, Newnham, Jennings, Boulter, Thomas, Tombleson, Dedman, Lynch, Evans, Brading, Williams, Peters, Crossland, Stirrup, White. Subs: Puzey, Puckett, Paisley.
Reporter: sport@iwcpmail.co.uk
• Pictures from our online gallery www.iwcpgallery.co.uk below.
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