IWRFC 13 Overton 12
With 3rd and 4th placed teams facing each other, this was always going to be a tense match, with IW taking the win with the last kick of the match to secure third place.
In the first minute, with Overton pressing the home line, captain Luke Blackman intercepted and galloped the length of the pitch to score, the promise of great things to come.
Overton, not to be outdone, countered and a loose pass in defence allowed the visitors to score and convert to take a 7-5 lead. For much of the rest of the first half, both sides competed vigorously around the ruck, but neither could add to the score, with a scrappy pattern to the play.
With the slope and wind at their backs, the home side looked favourites to take the initiative in the second half. Sustained pressure in the Overton 22, with driving play from Blackman, Harri Jones-Evans and Biffa Man of the Match Kevin Blackburn, allowed IW to spin the ball wide for Concept man of the match George Huish to score. However, with 15 minutes left, Overton took the lead with an unconverted try, now ahead 12-10.
Both sides continued to apply pressure and then Overton were given a penalty 15 metres out and in front of the posts. As Island heads went down, the visitor's kicker pulled the ball wide. With a penalty then given to the home side in their 22, and with the referee indicating the last play of the game, Huish launched the ball down to the opposition 22. IW won the lineout and drove at the Overton line. Again falling foul of the referee, Overton gave a penalty away 5 metres out and by the posts. With the kicking tee about to come on, Blackman chose, to the crowd's dismay, to take a quick tap! Fortunately the referee penalised the tackling player for not being back 10 metres and awarded a further penalty. The kicking tee came on, Huish converted, and his team celebrated a one-point victory.
The last few weeks have been tough going for IW with injuries and players running low on energy, but credit must go to the coaching staff and the players for the effort and sheer will to win shown over the season.
They have a remaining rearranged game away to Eastleigh II on Saturday.
IWRFC: D Ward, C Browne, G Huish, S McQueen, N Rolfe, A Young, D Hanson, L Blackman, I Bennett, H Jones-Evans, D Bishop, A Martin, K Blackburn, G Butler, M Newnham. Subs: K Wallace, J Webster, F Lockhart
