A rugged defensive display earned Isle of Wight Rugby Club a deserved home victory against Ventnor in the Christmas derby on Saturday, 20th December.
A much-anticipated contest attracted a large crowd from both clubs as Ventnor arrived at Wootton unbeaten in Hampshire Counties Three, while the home side looked to build momentum after a mixed start to the campaign.
Ventnor made a strong opening, with Luke Butler repeatedly finding the corners and Tom Scadden’s kick chase forcing a hurried clearance from Dan Ward. The fly-half’s kick was charged down by Lewy Morton, with both players injured in the collision and Ward forced to leave the field with a knee injury.
Despite the disruption, Isle of Wight RFC reorganised quickly and produced a disciplined, aggressive and well-ordered defensive performance that would underpin their afternoon. Ventnor’s set piece remained a strength, with Dan Lythgoe, Jewy Jones and Jack Rushton solid in the front row and Morton and Joe Coghlan effective at the lineout, but the pressure in open play limited cohesion.
As pressure was turned back onto Ventnor, good hands and hard running saw Harri Jones-Evans crash over for his first club try, the Ben Rouse Man of the Match giving Rangers a five-point lead.
Ventnor responded with a sustained spell inside the home 22, drawing in defenders before quick ruck ball allowed Josh Ford, Morton and Scadden to put Hayden Lythgoe over in the corner. Ford’s conversion drifted just wide, leaving the scores level at the interval.
Half time: Isle of Wight Rugby Club 5–5 Ventnor
The second half saw momentum gradually swing towards the home side despite strong individual runs from Jewy Jones, Jason Coltham and Harvey Wheeler. Ventnor were reduced to 14 men when Coghlan was yellow-carded for an illegal clear-out, and Isle of Wight RFC began to assert greater territorial control.
After coming close in the corner and applying sustained pick-and-go pressure following a turnover deep in Ventnor territory, the hosts eventually broke through. Luke Blackman forced his way over, with George Huish adding the conversion to make it 12–5.
Ventnor defended resolutely under continued pressure, with Ben Souter doing well to recover after a well-judged kick ahead, while Max Wheeler and Tom Branagh combined to create a rare opening that ultimately went unfinished. Substitutes Will Broomfield and George Collett added fresh impetus, Collett being held up just short of the line.
However, Isle of Wight RFC’s defensive effort remained remorseless and, when awarded a penalty around 30 metres out, Huish stepped up to split the posts and effectively seal the contest.
Ventnor threw everything they had left at the closing stages and briefly threatened to break out, but the home side’s collective defensive resolve held firm to close out a hard-fought derby.
Full time: Isle of Wight Rugby Club 15–5 Ventnor
Isle of Wight Rugby Club: G Huish, A Young, H Jones-Evans, L Blackman, C Browne, D Ward, D Blackman, E Lynch, J Webster, B Martin, J Bishop, K Blackburn, M Newnham, S McQueen, B Savill. Subs: I Puzey, D Bishop, F Vickers.
Ventnor: T Scadden, B Souter, T Branagh, M Wheeler, H Lythgoe, L Butler, J Ford, H Wheeler, J Coghlan, C Hayman, J Coltham, L Morton, D Lythgoe, L Jones, J Rushton. Subs: G Collett, J Gilbey, W Broomfield.
Images: Katharine Overton
Coghlan was shown a yellow card for an illegal head on head contact.