Rugby: Isle of Wight incensed by scrum ruling

A HIGHLY controversial decision to revert to uncontested scrums following an injury to an Overton player led to the Islanders losing their Hampshire 1 clash.

With a dominant scrum pressurising the visiting pack and forcing them on the back foot, the Islanders gained an 11–0 lead through two Lewis Murray penalties and a well-worked Andrew Brown try direct from a lineout.

With the home side in the ascendancy, the game changed dramatically following an injury to an Overton front row player, which led to him leaving the field after 20 minutes .

Overton, claiming to have no other player to play in their front row, contrary to their team sheet, insisted on the game being played with uncontested scrums, much to the home side’s anger.

The controversial decision quickly changed the whole focus and pattern of the match, as Isle of Wight’s clear advantage of applying pressure through their dominant pack was taken out of the equation, which allowed more space and time for Overton to play.

Overton took advantage of the situation by scoring three tries before half time.

The Islanders were on the offensive most of the second half and created several scoring chances, with their only reward, a Grant Smith try.

It was Overton who made their pressure pay with a further try, adding a fifth on the stroke of full time.

Owain Hooper, in his second game for the first team, was made Rouse man of the match, while Kevin Blackman earned the Biffa man of the game award.

Isle of Wight: M.Smith, Hooper, L.Blackman, Murray, Rann, Augustus, Marriott, Brown, D.Blackman, Webster, G.Smith, Pudney, Newnham, McQueen, Puzey. Subs: K.Blackman, Bennett, Warvill.