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VECTIS RFC WEEKEND ROUNDUP: CUP SUCCESS, FESTIVAL DOMINANCE, AND NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY
It was a momentous weekend across the board for Vectis RFC
Vectis RFC squads have been showcasing incredible talent on the pitch and our club receiving national recognition off it. From dominant displays in the Hampshire Cup to bruised but victorious festival outings, here is the latest roundup from across the club.
Under 13s: Hampshire Cup Success
The Under 13s put in an outstanding performance in the preliminary round of the Hampshire Cup, securing a 9-2 victory away at Fawley RFC. Vectis flew out of the traps, racing to a four-try lead within the first ten minutes. The forwards established an exceptional platform in the scrum and the loose, allowing the backs to execute a series of slick moves. The highlight of the match came from Albert B, who delivered a perfectly weighted cross-kick for Daniel R to finish superbly in the corner. George W led the scoring with a first-half hat-trick, alongside tries from Isaac B (2), Jacob S, Finn S, Daniel R, and Brodie G.
Standouts: Rufus K (Back of the Match) for a massive tackle count in the centre, and Jacob S (Forward of the Match) for excellent rucking and carrying.
Coach’s Verdict (Steve Dixon): "This was a hugely improved performance compared to our friendly against Eastleigh two weeks ago. Tackling and defence were far better."
Under 11s: Worthing Festival Warriors
The U11s fielded two squads at the Worthing Festival, facing off against Worthing, East Grinstead, Midhurst, Hastings and Bexhill, Edenbridge, and Steyning. Both the "Vectis Thunderbus" and the "Vectis Legion of Boom" engaged in huge, bruising encounters, walking away with a combined record of 7 wins, 1 draw, and just 2 losses across 10 matches. The teams rucked, ran, and tackled like champions throughout the day.
Standouts: Owen won Player of the Festival for the Thunderbus team after an epic display of big hits and front-foot runs. Reggie secured Player of the Festival for the Legion of Boom, making massive metres and acting as an immovable rock at the breakdown.
Coach’s Verdict (Allan Bridges): "This was a no-holds-barred banger of a festival. I'm incredibly proud that both of our teams came away with winning records. Amazing effort!"
Under 10s: Development & Resilience at Worthing
The U10s also travelled to the Worthing Festival, matching up against Shoreham, Brighton, Heathfield & Waldron, and two Worthing squads. The team secured wins or draws in the majority of their fixtures, with their sole loss coming against a well-drilled Brighton side. The squad demonstrated vastly improved counter-rucking and tackling, securing excellent turnover ball against tough opposition.
Standouts: Baxter earned Player of the Day for putting in a series of incredibly strong tackles, while Ben Healey was recognized for his excellent leadership and multiple tries. Milo also provided great leadership on the pitch.
Coach’s Verdict (Dave): "The coaching team is very proud of the entire team for their improved efforts. We will be working on our mauling and spreading the play across the field in the coming weeks."
Colts: Tough Test at Fordingbridge
The Colts travelled to Fordingbridge for a hard-fought away fixture this weekend. Despite a spirited effort and strong passages of play from the Vectis squad, the home side ultimately managed to pull away, securing a 25-10 victory. The team will regroup and look to take the physical lessons learned into their next fixture.
Off the Pitch: LooseHeadz & Mental Health Awareness
On Wednesday, October 7th, Ben and Bex represented Vectis RFC at the LooseHeadz Second Annual Awards and Fundraising Evening at the De Vere Grand Connaught Rooms in London. The events was an evening of glitz, glamour, and rugby. The pair were shortlisted in the top three for the prestigious LooseHeadz of the Year 2026 award. While the East Dorset Dockers ultimately took home the trophy for their incredible mental health support, it was a vital evening recognizing the collective effort to ensure every rugby club in the UK has a safe place to talk.
Friday the 10th was World Mental Health Day. With suicide claiming a life every 44 seconds, Vectis RFC remains entirely committed to tackling the stigma, signposting support, and saving lives.
Upcoming LooseHeadz Awareness Session:
Bex and Ben are preparing to deliver their next interactive, hour-long mental health awareness session. The goal is for every coach, volunteer, and parent across Vectis to eventually attend.
Date: Friday, November 27, 2026
Time: 18:00
Location: TBC (Likely Newport)
To sign up, please contact Bex or Ben through the club website or your team manager. For more information on the initiative or to access support, visit www.LooseHeadz.co.uk.
Community Rugby: Inspiring the Next Generation at Twickenham
It has also been a massive week for youth rugby development! 75 Isle of Wight school pupils were treated to an incredible trip to the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, arranged by Isle of Wight Community Sports Coaching in support of the Jason Robinson Foundation.
Vectis RFC has been incredibly proud to support Paul from Isle of Wight Community Sports Coaching and his fantastic work with the foundation to make rugby more accessible to all. What an unforgettable experience for every child involved! We’re pretty sure the adults were just as excited—especially Allan, who couldn't resist going for a drop goal over the posts!
We absolutely cannot wait for the tag rugby tournament coming up in May!
Get Involved: Volunteers Needed
Vectis RFC thrives on the dedication of our community. We are currently looking for volunteers to fill a range of roles across the club. Whether you can spare an hour a week or want to take on a larger role, please reach out to any committee member to see how you can help support the next generation of Vectis players.
