A large crowd at Watcombe witnessed a storming match between an on-fire Ventnor and a Winchester team vying for promotion on Saturday (4th March).
This was by far Ventnor’s best showing of the season with skipper Lewis Jones showing the way in attack and defence whilst Emile Bleriot set the pace with his speed of mind, hand and foot.
Once again, Ventnor’s pack stood up well against their heavier opponents with George Collett and Ben Savill outstanding until Collett was withdrawn with a head knock and Adam Pratt continued the excellent work. The lineout stuttered to start with but got back on track with Joe Coghlan in great form whilst his back row partners, Dan Bell and Lewy Morton, covered every blade of grass for the cause.
The game remained scoreless until deep into the first half when the Winchester hooker received a yellow card for a late hit. This seemed to raise the visitor’s game as they scored a good try after many phases and followed this up with a penalty to lead 0 – 10.
Ventnor came straight back and good work from Harry Colson and Andy Teague in midfield started a sweeping move which saw Ben Cooper and Ben Souter take the ball up and for Bleriot to find Sam Lines on arcing blindside run to dive in at the corner. Ed Blake kicked an impressive conversion. Then Blake kicked ahead, Cooper tackled the catcher and Fergus Kenny kicked the resulting penalty. Scores all-square.
From Winchester’s kickoff, Morton took a clean catch, the ball was moved infield and Bell broke through. The mercurial Bleriot was on his shoulder and sprinted in for the try that Kenny converted.
Half time: Ventnor 1sts 17-10 Winchester 2nds
Winchester hit back early in the 2nd half with a well-worked lineout drive that lead to a try which wasn’t converted and then scored again from a tap penalty whilst Blake was off the field after a yellow card for an adjudged deliberate knock-on. Ventnor lost Chris Hill at this point whose defence had been nothing less than heroic and the excellent Tom Crews came on.
With Jones leading the charge, the home team set up a number of phases to batter Winchester’s line. Bleriot came close with a snipe, the ball was recycled, and Kenny put Lines over for a try. Crews’ conversion just landed short.
With time running out, Winchester came back once more and snatched the game when their winger was allowed to get up after a tackle to touch down and win the match.
Full time: Ventnor 1sts 22 – 29 Winchester 2nds
Ventnor: Collett, Jones (capt), Savill, Teague, Colson, Coghlan, L.Morton, Bell, Bleriot, Kenny, Souter, Cooper, Lines, E.Blake, Cardwell-Hill. Subs: Pratt, Green, Crews Coaches: Jason Evans, Fergus Kenny and Clive Cardwell-Hill Physios: Emily Faithfull, Sarah Watt
The A J Wells Man of the Match: Lewis Jones
The Red Funnel Moment of the Match: Ben Cooper
Next Saturday Ventnor’s 1sts XV play away to Havant 3rds XV
