Ventnor were defeated away to Tottonians in a top-of-the-table Hampshire Counties 3 League clash on Saturday (17th January).
From the outset, Tottonians stuck to a tactical kicking game, putting the ball into space behind Ventnor’s backs and using effective grubber kicks to pin the visitors back. While Ventnor’s counter-attacking play looked threatening, too many promising phases were undone by mistakes and isolation at the breakdown.
Ventnor’s scrum proved a strong platform, with Jack Rushton, Jewy Jones and Dan Lythgoe providing power and control. Jones stood out with a relentless performance, repeatedly breaking through the home defence with determined carries.
Tottonians opened the scoring with a penalty following a high tackle, but Ventnor hit back quickly with a penalty of their own after strong defensive work by Luke Butler and Tom Branagh. The visitors began to find their attacking rhythm, with a flowing move involving Alec Bulpitt, Ben Souter and Hayden Lythgoe putting Ventnor on the front foot. A quick tap saw Dan Lythgoe go close before Harvey Wheeler and Joe Coghlan continued the surge, and Branagh eventually touched down near the posts. Ford converted to give Ventnor a 10-3 lead.
After Rushton was replaced by Riley Lloyd, Ventnor maintained scrum dominance, but misfortune struck when a long Tottonians kick was mishandled on the soft ground, allowing the home side’s winger to score a converted try. A further penalty extended the lead to 16-10.
Half time: Tottonians 16 – 10 Ventnor
In the second half, Ventnor showed plenty of intent, with powerful runs from Jacob Jordan, Jason Coltham and Jones, but errors and penalties halted momentum. Despite losing skipper Lewy Morton to a yellow card, Ventnor pressed on. Cody Hayman, replacing Coghlan, added intensity, while debutant Archie Lucy impressed with a break through half the Tottonians defence.
Ventnor dominated the closing stages, with Ford going close to scoring before the referee ruled the ball had been held up. The match ended with Ventnor camped on the opposition try line, but unable to break through.
Full time: Tottonians 16 – 10 Ventnor
Ventnor: Rushton, Jones, D. Lythgoe, L. Morton (capt), Coltham, Jordan, Coghlan, H. Wheeler, Ford, Butler, Bulpitt, Branagh, H. Lythgoe, Souter, Scadden.
Subs: Hayman, Lloyd, Lucy Coaches: Damien Marriott, Clive Cardwell-Hill, Todd Riches, Andy Teague Physio: Sarah Watt
A.J. Wells Man of the Match: Jewy Jones
Red Funnel Moment of the Match: Lewy Morton
Howden Insurance Supporters of the Day: Bob and Tommo Engelgardt
The defeat narrows Ventnor’s lead at the top of the table to 4 points, with Tottonians holding a game in hand. There is no 1st XV fixture next Saturday, but the 2nd XV are scheduled to face Fawley.
Ventnor’s 2nd XV fixture at Fareham Heathens was called off due to a waterlogged pitch.
