AFTER a miserable run of defeats stretching back more than two months, struggling Ventnor built on their improved form to earn a battling draw with high flying Overton.

VENTNOR 12, OVERTON 12

Up against strong, but depleted opposition, in tricky conditions, the Islanders, lying second bottom of Counties 3 Hampshire, made sure they did not come away from their games empty handed on Saturday. 

Isle of Wight County Press: Joe Coghlan takes a clean catch from Will Harrison's line-out throw for Ventnor against Overton.Joe Coghlan takes a clean catch from Will Harrison's line-out throw for Ventnor against Overton. (Image: Andy Wall)

The visitors, who fielded 13, played to their strengths, in their pack.

With their greater size and excellent skills of supporting the ball carrier, Overton made ground, despite the relentless tackling of Ventnor's players.

When in possession, Ventnor admirably tried to play a good standard of rugby, when a kick-and-chase tactic may have paid more dividends, by exploiting Overton's short-handed back line.

Overton scored the only try of the first half, with the hosts getting themselves into promising positions — only to lose the ball though poor support of the runner, or by losing a critical line-out due to the conditions. 

Skipper, Ben Savill, led by example — making the hard yards. 

The half-time whistle proved untimely for Ventnor, who were starting to put pressure on their opponents.

However, Ventnor upped the ante in the second half, when Joel Cocks made a break, from which Will Harrison set up a ruck and led to a try by Guy Entwistle, converted by Ben Cooper, to put them in front. 

But the Islanders’ advantage didn’t last long — Overton’s kick off evading everyone and bouncing to within five metres of the corner flag. 

Ventnor fluffed their lines and, despite their numbers disadvantage, Overton were able to go wide on the left to touch down, with a remarkable conversion, to go back in front. 

The hosts kept playing their passing and running game, and were rewarded when Grant Richardson was able to dot down from an Overton scrum. 

Cooper narrowly missed the conversion and the game ran out even, to Ventnor's frustration.

Ventnor:  Collett, Harrison, Lythgoe, Teague, Richardson, Savill (capt), Coghlan, L.Morton, Souter, Cooper, Turner, Entwistle, Cocks, Gray, Butler. Replacements: Martin, Bridges.

SATURDAY'S RUGBY RESULTS
Counties 2 Hampshire: United Services Portsmouth 12, Sandown & Shanklin 24.
Counties 3: Isle of Wight 17, Aldershot & Fleet 10; Ventnor 12, Overton 12.
Counties 4B: Millbrook II 33, Sandown & Shanklin II 19.
Counties 5 South: United Services Portsmouth II 31, Ventnor II 24.

FIXTURES
Counties 3 Hampshire: Ventnor v Isle of Wight.
Counties 5 South: Ventnor II v Isle of Wight II.