ISLE OF Wight RFC were defeated by United Services Portsmouth in their last competitive match of their centenary year.

UNITED SERVICES PORTSMOUTH 43, ISLE OF WIGHT 7

The spirited game, at Burnaby Road, saw the Islanders put up a strong fight, but were ultimately unable to match the speed and strength of their hosts.

This match also marked the farewell game of USP's Lewis Murray, a former Isle of Wight RFC captain, who is emigrating to Australia.

Isle of Wight RFC v United Services Portsmouth in the corresponding match, at Wootton Rec, earlier this season. (Image: County Press) Both clubs extended their best wishes to him.

Meanwhile, the first half was a closely contested affair, with Isle of Wight gaining parity up front and trailing by just 5-0 approaching the half-hour mark.

However, injuries, most notably to scrum-half Finlay Lockhart, who suffered a broken collarbone, hindered their progress.

This allowed the servicemen to exploit the Islanders' disorganisation and stretch out their lead to 17-0 lead at the break.

The second half followed a similar pattern to several games this season, with Isle of Wight enjoying a good share of possession, but struggling to break through the opposing defence.

Their own defence was courageous, but could not withstand the pace of the United Services side, who managed to score three more tries before the 70-minute mark.

At this point, Isle of Wight were down to 13 men, due to further injuries and the sin-binning of Jacob Wynyard-Wright.

Despite their reduced numbers, the Islanders' determination was rewarded when a well-executed play on the right, by the forward pack, created space for George Huish to chip over the top, collect the bounce and run in an excellent try.

He added the extras, but United Services fittingly had the last word, with a seven-pointer just before the final whistle.

Despite the clear-cut result, Isle of Wight showed defensive improvements, having conceded 56 points at home to the same opposition earlier in the season.

Isle of Wight now have a four-week break from league rugby before their match against Millbrook on January 11.

In the meantime, the club will hold its annual Christmas charity game at Wootton Rec at 2pm on December 28., with proceeds going towards the Lily Foundation and club projects.

IWRFC: Young, Woods, Browne, McQueen, Wynyard-Wright, Huish, Lockhart, Hart, Butler, Thorne, B.Martin, D.Bishop, J.Bishop, Jones-Evans, Blackman (capt), A.Martin, Puzey.