14 man Island just fail to hold on
Tuesday, December 20, 2011 at 6:46PM Ventnor 8 IWRFC 5
The sending off of lock Adam Thomas left the Island 1st XV playing three quarters of the game a man down.
Early Island pressure saw their hosts under pressure oin the srum and in field position. This constant pressure allowed Martin Newnham to crash over.
Ventnor returned to the fray, and following an altercation, Thomas recieved his red card. However this did not stop the Island pressing forward, and were to the fore for the rest of the half.
Further problems were heaoped on the Island as they lost George Courtney after 5 minutes of the second half, stunned after a blow to the face.
Despite this the Island defence continued to hold out and they took all opportunities to attack, without reward. Both sides seemed to be confused as to some of the decisions given and the scrum was allowed to develop in to a farce, with little binding.
With some 10 minutes to go, Ventnor drew level, but it was with virtually the last kick of the game that a penalty in the Islands 22 was taken by the home side.
IWRFC: A White, S Tyson, D Stirrup, R Crossland, C Williams, B Evans, E Lynch, G Courtney, A Hay, A Thomas, O Boulter, D Jennings, M Newnham, I Puzey, C Clark, N Thombleson, G Paisley
