Isle of Wight RFC started their centenary year of 2024 on Saturday (January 6) as they had finished 2023, in winning form.

IW 31-20 Portsmouth II

Portsmouth’s first team received a walkover, and IW knew they would be facing a strong second string but were shocked by the blistering start from the visitors and were under their posts inside two minutes after a superb Portsmouth try.

The home side were soon on terms, a textbook lineout catch and drive leading to a touchdown for Luke Blackman.

For IW’s second try, backs and forwards combined before powerhouse centre Sam McQueen barrelled over.

IW only found themselves on top for a few minutes, as Portsmouth were again on the scoresheet, now only trailing 12-10.

Crucially, while trying to prevent this opposition score, captain Blackman suffered a deep cut to the eye area from a stray elbow, leaving him unable to play any further part in the game.

The rest of the half belonged to Portsmouth, who looked dangerous from broken play and scored two further tries before the change of ends.

They were unable to convert any of these scores but led 20-12 at the break.

IW dominated the second period, and with Ricky Keyes and Harri Jones-Evans prominent, most of the half was spent in Portsmouth territory.

Slick handling by veterans Stu Browne and Martin Newnham were key in a move which saw stand-in captain George Huish slide over in the corner.

The hosts smelled blood, and Portsmouth began to fade, with hard-running centre Danny Rackett battering through some desperate tackles to score IW’s fourth try.

This was soon followed by a score from McQueen, breaking the initial defence before steamrolling his way over the cover. Huish concerted both of these tries, and IW led by 11.

IW keep pace with the two teams above them in the league with this win and are again at home on Saturday against Andover II, kicking off at 2pm.