COWES Sports eased their relegation worries a little thanks to a solid, hard-fought 3-0 victory over Sydenhams Wessex Premier rivals Bemerton Heath Harlequins this afternoon (Saturday).

The Yachtsmen leap-frogged their opponents in front of an excellent 171 crowd at Westwood Park.

The Islanders got off to the perfect start, with player-manager John McKie scoring twice inside the opening five minutes of the game.

The remainder of the first half was quite scrappy as Bemerton Heath tried to get some sort of foothold in the game.

But the visitors were quite a poor side and came up against Ed Hatt, a goalkeeper in good form, whenever they looked like they might score.

McKie gave his marker down the right a torrid time throughout the second half.

But the game was made safe for Cowes with five minutes remaining, when substitute Jimmy Wykes, in acres of space, slotted home an excellent Aedan Coode cross.

In Division 1 of the Sydenhams Wessex League, Newport suffered their second away defeat in four days, losing 3-2 at mid-table Verwood Town, while East Cowes Vics picked up a point in an entertaining 3-3 draw at Whitchurch Utd.

Whitecroft and Barton Sports will have to wait another week before they learn whether they have won their fifth Island League Division 1 title in a row after the only side who can mathematically catch them, Brading Town, beat ECS 4-2.

It is a carbon copy of the situation last season at this stage.

In Division 2's top of the table clash between Ryde Saints and Bembridge, league leaders Bembridge won 3-2 to confirm the title and promotion to Division 1 with two to play.

Bembridge have dropped four points all season.  

                            TODAY’S RESULTS (SATURDAY)

Sydenhams Wessex Premier: Cowes Sports 3, Bemerton Heath Harlequins 0.

Sydenhams Wessex Division 1: Verwood Town 3, Newport 2; Whitchurch Utd 3, East Cowes Vics 3.

Isle of Wight Unison Junior B Cup, semi-finals: Carisbrooke Utd Reserves 4, Wootton Reserves 2; Niton Community Reserves v Bembridge Reserves.

Harwoods Renault Island League, Division 1: ECS 2, Brading Town 4; Pan Sports 0, Northwood St John 0; Shanklin 5, Osborne Coburg 0; Ventnor 1, Cowes Sports Reserves 1.

Division 2: Brighstone 1, Adgestone 6; Oakfield v Yarmouth & Calbourne; Ryde Saints 2, Bembridge 3; Seaview 6, Niton Community 2; Wroxall 4, East Cowes Vics A 2.

Combination 1: Northwood St John Reserves 0, Oakfield Reserves 1; Osborne Coburg Reserves 0, Shanklin Reserves 4; Sandown Reserves 0, ECS Reserves 3; West Wight Reserves 2, Brading Town Reserves 3; Whitecroft & Barton Sports Reserves 4, Ryde Saints Reserves 0.

Combination 2: Yarmouth & Calbourne Reserves 0, Seaview Reserves 8.