Sandown and Shanklin Hurricanes beat an emerging Ventnor 2nd XV team in an open and fast-paced match in front of the customary large crowd at Watcombe Bottom on Saturday (15th March).
The Hurricanes cohesive squad put on all the early pressure with only the defiance of Ventnor’s side keeping them out, epitomised by the work of Joe Coghlan, Dan Lythgoe, James Blake and Bradley Francis. Eventually, the dam broke and the visitors took a deserved lead which they then doubled when some uncharacteristic sloppy tackling allowed the Hurricanes right winger to score from far out.
Dean Magnurson got one back for Ventnor after good work from his son Charlie and Ross Harris, and Ventnor began to get into the game as skipper Jack Rushton rallied his troops. Lewy Morton and George Collett came on to challenge the Hurricanes at the gain line, but it was the visitors who stretched their lead as their better teamwork began to show. and it all looked grim for Ventnor when the score reached 7 -33.
However, there’s a common thread of determination, spirit and pride that runs through this eclectic squad of Ventnor, and they rallied with 2 quick-fire tries by the outstanding Jack Davis after some great support work from his father, Gavin and Tristan Price. James Green then crashed over after some try line pressure featuring the returning Adam Coates and – with Ed Blake’s conversions – suddenly the score was back to 24 – 33.
Morton was then harshly yellow carded, and the visitors scored against the run of play despite a breakout and kick ahead by Jason Evans. Still, Ventnor came back with Harry Ottley showing some great pace and skill and Neil Evans – in a brief cameo – demonstrating the importance of pressure defence. Callum Martin came on to bolster the attack and – in the final play of the game – Ed Blake crashed over to score a try that he then converted leaving the final score at 31 – 40.
Full time: Ventnor 2nd XV 31-40 Sandown & Shanklin Hurricanes 2nd XV
