Ventnor turned on the style to convincingly beat an abrasive Christchurch squad in Hampshire Counties 3 at Watcombe Bottom on Saturday (12th October).
The game hardly started promisingly for Ventnor when the hard-working Nathan Frampton was yellow carded in the 2nd minute for an early tackle after a Christchurch short penalty. It was the visitors who looked to be on top with a period of pressure that resulted in a penalty to take the lead. Little did the spectators know that these were the last points that they would get.
Ventnor’s 1st try came from some hard running from Jones that set up a number of rucks on the Christchurch line until space was created for Wheeler to crash over. The mainlanders were under pressure now, but Ventnor were letting them off the hook with the number of penalties they were giving away. It was a pretty even match until Ed Blake found some space out on the right and, with typical power, pace and balance, swept through the remains of the opposition to touch down.
The half finished with a classic, as Coghlan took the ball high at a line-out, his lifters held him there to provide the time for Jones to sweep round, and the hooker took the ball and barrelled over.
Half time: Ventnor 15-3 Christchurch
The 2nd half had hardly started before the Ed Blake repeated his effort from the 1st half and somehow found his way to the line despite being apparently stopped more than once. Wheeler slotted the conversion.
Ventnor were now dominating in all areas, with Collett, Jones and Lythgoe seeing off their heavier props in the set piece and Coghlan having a terrific game in the line out, in which he several times got his hand on opposition ball. Jake Babington came on for the excellent Fairman and soon got himself on the score sheet when a move up the left, in which the support for the ball carrier was outstanding, resulted in the try for the rangy full-back. Again, Wheeler kicked the conversion – this time from a long way out.
The final play of the game saw the Layton Greatorex – showing well in his first game in the backrow – score with a powerful charge up the middle. Tom Crews, with typical insouciance, dropped kicked the conversion as the whistle went for full time.
Full time: Ventnor 36-3 Christchurch
Ventnor: Lythgoe, Jones, Collett, Frampton, Teague, Greatorex, Coghlan, Savill (capt), Souter, Wheeler, E.Blake, Howard, Crews, Wyatt, Fairman.
Subs: Babington, Fox, J.Blake Coaches: Neil Evans, Clive Cardwell-Hill, Todd Riches, Dean Magnurson Physio: Sarah Watt
A.J.Wells Man of the Match: Layton Greatorex
Red Funnel Moment of the Match: Ed Blake
An under-strength Ventnor 2nd team were trounced by Fareham Heathens 2nds in Hampshire Premiership south.
Ventnor arrived on the mainland with only 12 players following some late withdrawals but managed to collect 3 guest players before kick-off.
Ventnor found themselves 14-0 down in quick time following 2 converted tries from distance, but they fought back with a try themselves after 15 minutes.
The impressive Harry Ottley broke through the Fareham back line, following a scrum on the 22m line, to score close to the posts. Warren Riches converted.
The Islanders were gaining in confidence, and their forwards began to dominate possession, going through the phases effectively, with veteran skipper Dean Magnurson and Brad Francis to the fore. However, Ventnor failed to capitalise on the possession, and the tide turned 10 minutes before half time as Fareham came back scoring 4 unanswered tries before the interval.
Half time: Fareham Heathens 2nds 40-7 Ventnor 2nds
The pattern continued in the 2nd half with Fareham adding to their tally. Ventnor had begun to dominate the scrums, but an injury in the Heathens’ front row led to uncontested scrums. This further advantaged the home team, giving them clean ball with which to attack the Ventnor back line and led to more additions to the try total. Ventnor were further disadvantaged with 10 minutes to go, losing Ewan Castle to a knee injury.
Ventnor had their moments, pushed on by busy scrum half Ben Cooper, who was linking well with his half back partner Ottley. It was another line break by Ottley that led to Ventnor’s 2nd try, scored by 1 of the guests and converted by Riches.
Another converted try by Fareham in the last minute led to a final score of 75-14.
Full time: Fareham Heathens 2nds 75-14 Ventnor 2nds
Ventnor: Price, Brown, Reeves, Francis, Martin, D.Magnurson, Cooper, Ottley, Flanagan, Lush, Gilbey, T.Davis, W.Riches
A.J.Wells Man of the Match: Brad Francis
Red Funnel Moment of the Match: Dean Magnurson
