Overton's title hopes all but over (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Overton's title hopes all but over

4:00pm Friday 8th March 2013 in Sport

OVERTON RFC’s hopes of claiming the Hampshire Two title were all but extinguished as they lost 22-15 at home to leaders Solent University.

Ryan Cornell scored twice for the hosts and Elliot Buttle also crossed the line but the table-toppers saw the game out to leave Overton third, 12 points off the pace.

Chineham lost by a single point away at local rivals Alresford, being made to pay for a very poor start, the hosts leading 26-0 after just 25 minutes and maintaining that advantage until the break.

Two penalties from Dan Waller got Chineham on the scoreboard, while two tries for No 8 Luke Dyer reduced the deficit to just eight points. A further penalty was followed by Dyer’s hat-trick score and the comeback was complete, with the visitors leading 28-26 – but a late penalty handed Alresford victory.

Chineham host Fawley on Saturday, while Overton travel to struggling Fareham Heathens.

Tadley closed the gap on the sides above them in the Southern Counties North table with a 20-16 win away at fellow strugglers Wallingford.

The hosts took the lead with a converted try but Tadley hit back to level before half-time, Clive Ineson breaking through the defence to score beside the posts, with Jake Cottrell adding the extras.

Wallingford ended the first-half down to 14 men but Tadley were unable to take advantage and a drop-goal and a penalty early in the second period put the hosts 13-7 ahead.

Having just regained their hooker, Wallingford lost a flanker to the sin-bin for a deliberate knock-on. Ineson slotted the resulting penalty and Tadley then took advantage of the extra man, brothers Byron and Tom Bartlett combining for the latter to score, with the conversion putting the visitors 20-13 up.

Wallingford kicked a penalty to reduce the deficit but Tadley held on to win and they face another relegation six-pointer this week, when local rivals Thatcham travel to Red Lane.

Aldermaston recorded a comfortable 41-5 victory over visiting Faringdon in the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Championship. Dean Smith crossed the line twice, while Matt James, Nicky Adkins, Glenn Castle, Damon Evans and Danny Lowe were the other scorers.

Kingsclere were unable to raise a side for their trip to struggling Winslow. They travel to Abingdon this weekend, while Aldermaston face a trip to unbeaten leaders Farnham Royal.