Smiles of Wight

The game would always be a tough one as S&S were a couple of league places ahead of PJF and historically the matches have been close affairs between these sides.

It was in fact the visitors who took the initiative sticking to their game plan of punching the ball up the park around the breakdown fringes. Using their battering rams of No 8 and the 2 second rows, S&S were soon deep in PJF's half and looked threatening. PJF held them for a short while but as S&S effectively kept the ball alive with good offloads and close support play, they managed to create an overlap and run in their first score, a try.

From the re-start S&S hit their stride again and retained good possession in PJF's half. From a breakdown PJF's ever impressive flanker, Phil Jones, stole the ball and PJF attacked quickly through their backs. Winger Mark Trumper was freed down the right and as he outpaced the cover PJF delved deep into S&S territory. PJF managed to keep the territorial advantage for quite a while and were unlucky not to reap reward as Fly Half Dan Martin missed a penalty. S&S fought hard through the forwards to break out and on occasion broke over the half way line, however PJF's defence was strong enough to repel these incursions. It seemed as if S&S ran out of steam and PJF, through quick changes in the point of attack, kept them on the back foot in their own 22. At a breakdown S&S gave away a penalty which was quickly taken and the ball ended up in Martin's hands as he crossed the line to score PJF's first try. His conversion set the scare at 7-5. S&S hit back just before half time with a penalty.

As the second half began PJF dealt a killer blow. Quick possession and strong line breaks saw PJF awarded a penalty some 15 yards from the try line. The quick reaction of Hooker Dan Crumplin to take the penalty and feed Martin allowed the fly half to cross for his and PJFs second try. This gave PJF the momentum and resulted in the opponents hard running No 8 getting yellow carded for an infringement at a breakdown. PJF capitalised during this 10 minutes as their pack took and drove a line out from 15 yards out, their concerted effort allowed Crumplin to flop over to score PJF's third try.

S&S mustered themselves and to their credit, attacked with menace. During a 10 minute spell PJF defended their lines well with flanker Callum Law excelling. But S&S slotted another penalty to make the score 17-11. With their opponents tails up, PJF dug deep and repelled attacks, making S&S work from a long way out. It was good to see Club Captain Dan Leidecker's return from a long injury as he was brought on at scrum half - he made an immediate impact with his mazy runs. This impetus was matched by the packs good line out work by the Brothers' Leather and veteran Jo Dilieto. A period of sustained possession and quick re-cycling had the match flowing first one way and then another - S&S on the back foot were eventually over stretched and Leidy fed centre Piotr Swiatkiewicz who crashed over for PJF's fourth and Bonus Point try.

This 5 point win didn't affect PJF's 7th place league position, but it does secure more points and ensures this league's status for next year. PJF host Camberley next weekend, a game in which they will be looking to overturn the defeat earlier in the season.