It was a weekend of high-octane action, sunshine, and silverware as Vectis RFC took over rugby pitches across the south. From the youngest superstars at the Hampshire Festivals to the battle-hardened Colts and our newly crowned Shield Champions, the Blue and Burgundy jerseys were everywhere, showing exactly what Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline, and Sportsmanship (TREDS) looks like in action.

? UNDER 13s: HAMPSHIRE SHIELD CHAMPIONS!

The U13s travelled to Romsey for the Hampshire Shield Final and delivered a performance for the history books. After a spine-tingling tunnel welcome from the home crowd, Vectis ignored the pressure and went straight to work.

Theo "Chezza" Cherry opened the scoring early, finishing a beautiful team move through the hands. Ed Foster was in world-class form, crossing the whitewash a staggering four times. While Romsey threatened to break through, the defensive wall led by Wyatt Lee and Jackson Flux held firm. Huge jackal turnovers from Gus McGillivray and Jasper Branston shifted the momentum, while Finley Stephens and Billy Young orchestrated the backline with precision.

Final Score: 7-15 Win

Star Men: Captain Jasper Branston (Opposition MOTM) and Gus McGillivray (Management MOTM).

⚡ COLTS: LEAGUE DOMINANCE AT GOSPORT

The Colts finished the weekend with a clinical 38-11 league victory over Gosport & Fareham. After a well-matched first half, Vectis blew the game wide open in the second, playing "heads-up" rugby that left the opposition chasing shadows.

The try-scorers list looked like a roll call of talent: Billy G (2), Freddie K, George C, Jack P, and Arran, with Preston adding the extras with four conversions. Milo produced a "phenomenal" hold-up on the try line to deny a certain score, while Billy E kept the game moving with lightning-fast passing. As the referee noted: "Shame there had to be a losing team, that was a game of rugby to the highest degree."

☀️ UNDER 8s: TAGGING TITANS AT TROJANS
The Under 8s enjoyed a perfect festival at Trojans, swapping the recent rain for sunshine and tries! Playing four 15-minute games against USP, Romsey, Eastleigh, and Alton, the team maintained a 100% win record.

Coach Chris highlighted a "superb defensive line" that the opposition simply couldn't crack. Megan was the standout leader, making a conscious effort to ensure every single player was involved in the attack. The result? Every single player on the squad scored at least one try! Off the pitch, the team celebrated with ice cream, daisy chains, and chess—true rugby family vibes.

? UNDER 9s: THE INTERCEPTION KINGS
At the Hampshire Development Festival, the U9s faced physical sides like Romsey and Eastleigh. Despite missing several key players, the squad stepped up in a massive way once they hit their stride.

The defensive highlight of the day was the team's use of the touchline as an "extra defender" to force turnovers. Henry Hurn put in a legendary performance, recording 4 or 5 interceptions and scoring a mountain of tries. Special mentions go to Ugo Thorne and Baxter Buckingham for their work rate and leadership when the team needed it most.

? UNDER 10s: RUCKING REVOLUTION IN BOURNEMOUTH
The U10s took a road trip to Bournemouth for a series of friendly matches that were described as "toe-to-toe" battles featuring huge hits and terrific running. Across four games, Vectis secured three wins and one draw.

The standout "point of difference" for Vectis was their rucking, which continues to be a major strength. Otto and Marlee were awarded Players of the Day for their powerful, dominant displays in the engine room. Coach Allan praised the resilience of the squad and the "wonderfully friendly rivalry" built with the Bournemouth hosts.

?️ UNDER 11s: THE UNSTOPPABLE DEFENSE
Over at Alton RFC, the U11s faced a gauntlet of four matches against Romsey, Farnborough, Havant, and Alton. The highlight of the day was a dominant 8-0 shutout against a very strong Havant side.

The defensive effort was a total team sacrifice, with "try-saving tackles" coming from Joey Shaw, Mylo Carter, Brody Morey, Harry Robinson, and Albee Lynch. Frank Judd, Ashton Ford, Henry Palmer, Xavier Brown, and Zav Deloud-Clarke provided the muscle with strong carries, while Louis Brunetti, Theo Goros, and Bjørn Slabber delivered incredible all-round shifts.
Player of the Day: Hugh Ramsey
Birthday Shout-out: Mikey Whitcombe!

? UNDER 16s: GRIT, GUTS, AND GLORY
The U16s hosted Alton at IWRFC, Wootton in a tournament match that tested their character to the limit. After falling 0-12 behind, the boys showed incredible resilience to claw back to 12-19.

Despite being reduced to 13 players due to injuries, they refused to give an inch until the final whistle. James, Aya, and Herbie (who also slotted two conversions) all crossed for tries. Adam and Myles were beasts in the carry, and Mason put in a cracking shift before being forced off by injury. It was a "heads-up" performance that proved this team never stops fighting.

A Massive Thank You to Wightlink Ferries

None of our mainland successes this weekend would have been possible without the continued, generous support of our main sponsor, Wightlink Ferries. With so many of our squads traveling across the Solent to compete their assistance with our travel logistics is absolutely vital. Thank you, Wightlink, for helping our young athletes access these fantastic opportunities and allowing us to represent the Isle of Wight so proudly on the mainland!

Join the Vectis RFC Family!
Inspired by this weekend's success? Vectis RFC is recruiting across all age groups, from Under 6s right through to Under 18s! Whether you are brand new to the sport and want to give it a try, or you are an experienced player looking for a great club atmosphere, there is a place for you here. Come down, get involved, and become part of our fantastic rugby community.
• Youth: Vectis RFC welcomes players from U6 to U18, your first 2 sessions are free.
• Volunteers: Vectis RFC is always looking for volunteers and support.
• Adults: The Isle of Wight boasts three senior clubs for those looking to return to the game or start fresh.
About Vectis RFC
Vectis RFC is the only community youth rugby club on the Isle of Wight, providing coaching and competition for players from U6 through to Colts. We are dedicated to fostering a love for rugby, teamwork, and sportsmanship in a safe and supportive environment. We pride ourselves on developing the next generation of rugby talent and supporting the 3 mighty Island Senior Clubs Isle of Wight RFC, Ventnor RFC and Sandown & Shanklin RFC.
• Website: www.pitchero.com/clubs/vectis2
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/VectisRFC