RUGBYOverton 13, Ventnor 13
VENTNOR, who had not played since the beginning of January, showed some rustiness against forthright opponents Overton in this Hampshire Division 2 match.
The Island side were under pressure in a very forward-orientated game, and Overton held the lead until late into the game, with Ventnor’s only points coming from two penalties from Todd Riches.
But with Ventnor’s backs showing more promise, in the very last move of the match, Sam Lines burst upfield in a 50-metre break and was only stopped by foul play by the opposition.
Thinking calmly under pressure, Ventnor’s captain Mike Walker chose to take the scrum and the ball went down the line for Chris Dobbas to score.
Needing the conversion to draw the game, Wightlink man of the match Todd Riches slotted the kick home to keep Ventnor’s promotion push very much alive.
Olly Fulljames took the A. J. Wells Black Dog award.
Ventnor: Walker, Jesney, Newbery, Benfield, Morley, Pemberton, Pickard, T. Riches, Kenny, Marriott, Lush, Dobbas, Lines, Fulljames, W. Riches. Subs: Ball, Pratt.