Ventnor RFC held Winchester 3rd XV to a draw in a 20-20 tie.
A draw felt like a triumph for the Island club after losing their captain, Lewy Morton, to a hamstring issue before the game on February 14.
Ventnor started strongly, taking the lead with a right-corner try from Alec Bulpitt, assisted by a spirited run from Harvey Wheeler.
Winchester managed to retake the lead from a close-in lineout, but Ventnor’s Joe Coghlan grabbed the ball from a sloppy home ruck and scored, which Josh Ford converted.
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After half-time, the game tilted in Winchester's favour.
They managed another lineout maul, earning themselves a 15-12 lead.
Ventnor regrouped, and after another slick manoeuvre by Harvey Wheeler and Joe Coghlan, Ford managed a try that put Ventnor ahead again at 17-15.
However, injuries began to take their toll on the side, with Winchester capitalising on the overlap resulting from a maul to push the score to 20-17.
Ventnor was also reduced to 14 men after Jewy Jones was penalised for collapsing the maul.
Despite these setbacks, a relentless display of character and grit from the Islanders secured them a much-needed penalty.
Josh Ford calmly sank this between Winchester’s posts to bring the game to a draw.
Harvey Wheeler was named man of the match, while Jewy Jones won the moment of the match, and Andy Wall won supporter of the day.
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The two points from the match allow Ventnor to increase their lead above Tottonians to six points, though Tottonians have a game in hand.
Next Saturday Ventnor 1sts have a week off while Ventnor 2nds are away to Fareham Heathens.
The full Ventnor RFC team consisted of Jack Rushton, Jewy Jones (captain), Dan Lythgoe, Will Broomfield, Jason Coltham, Cody Hayman, Joe Coghlan, Harvey Wheeler, Josh Ford, Luke Butler, Hayden Lythgoe, Max Wheeler, Tom Scadden, Alec Bulpitt, Ben Souter.
Substitutes were Jack Gilbey, Charlie Magnurson, and Lewy Morton.
The coaches in attendance were Damien Marriott, Clive Cardwell-Hill, Todd Riches, and Andy Teague, while Zoe Jones managed physio responsibilities.
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