THE Isle of Wight RFC held their annual charity rugby match in aid of Layla’s Trust at Wootton Rec, with match fees and a well supported raffle raising more than £300 for the Island cause.
A variation on the fixture’s usual format saw the club represented by players aged over 25, while the charity fielded a team of U25s, on Monday.
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With regular club players and former players home for Christmas, with numbers boosted by guest players, two strong squads turned out for the game.
Premiership referee and former IWRFC player, Adam Leal, officiated.
The Island's select 15 started strongest in the heavy conditions, with Angus Brown charging down a kick and winning the race for the touchdown.
His centre partner, Ben Ridley, added the second shortly afterwards, followed by a score for the experienced Martin Newnham from the base of a close-in ruck.
With Fountain Inn man of the match Mark Waterer pulling the strings, the over-25s continued to dominate and play expansive rugby, as Rob SICE sprinted over, with the extras added, for a 22-0 lead.
It seemed set to be a one-sided affair, but the U25s rallied before half-time, as George Biles powered over and converted, leaving the score 22-7 at the break.
The exchanges were now closely fought, with no further score added until the final quarter — the youthful Layla’s Trust side with stamina to burn, controlling play in the closing 20 minutes, with Biffa man of the match Brian Fu the stand-out player.
Pressure led to a converted try for Luke Blackman and, in the last five minutes, Will Hickman scored, with his conversion narrowing the gap to a single point.
The club side came under pressure in the last couple of minutes, but their defence held firm on a day when rugby and Layla’s Trust were the winners.
Emma Cotter, of Layla’s Trust, said: “Huge thanks to IWRFC and its followers for their continued support of Island families — it is truly appreciated.”
Isle of Wight (over-25s): Fincham, Barrett, Ridley, Angus Brown, Sice, Waterer, Augustus, Puzey, Tennant, Newnham, D.Bishop, Pudney, Andrew Brown (capt), Chiverton, Webster-Smith, Mitchell, J.Bishop, Vince, Hanson, A.Groves, Boulter, Smith.
Layla’s Trust (U25s): Huish, M.Joyce, Cole, Spence, Rich Vaughan, Dry, Scovell, Biles, Guy, Keyes, Hickman, Puckett, Fu, Rob Vaughan, L.Blackman, Sorayapour, Farrant, Langdon, Martin, Ormerod.
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