Ventnor 2nd XV won bragging rights for the away side in the local rugby derby against Isle of Wight 2nd XV at Wootton Rec by winning 20-34 after trailing 3-10 at halftime.
The game began with some patchy rugby interspersed with many lots of whistle due to high tackles from both sides as these 2 great rivals took it to each other. With Jack Rushton leading from the front, Ventnor’s pack began to gain some ascendancy, with fellow front-row players Chris Skelly and Bradley Francis having powerful games in the set and Dean Magnurson doing the hard graft on the floor.
The home team had plenty of ball as well but Ventnor’s defence – led by Alan Fox, Dylan Gray and Ewan Castle – stood up to everything that came their way. Ventnor were playing a limited game at this point with the ageless Warren Riches just sending the ball out to Charlie Magnurson at inside centre who made ground every time. As the ball was recycled with Tim Davis outstanding in this respect, it was Steve Maskell who made ground and the Isle of Wight’s erstwhile stern defence began to wilt. After half an hour, it was Will Broomfield who took advantage of this and charged over for the first try after a pickup from the pack of an advancing scrum.
Then, Maskell went on the rampage combining power and dancing feet which allowed Broomfield to go over for his second try. The Isle of Wight slotted a penalty so, as the whistle blew for halftime, the score was 3 – 10.
Half time: Isle of Wight 3-10 Ventnor
As the 2nd half started, substitutes were coming and going but the quality of performance didn’t drop, and this allowed Broomfield to charge over for his hat-trick. Riches converted, and the game looked to be all but over as the amazing Broomfield then added to his tally with his fourth try which Riches converted again.
However, the home team never gave up, and some uncharacteristic sloppy tackling from Ventnor allowed a try which was followed by an excellent score from their right winger despite some terrific defence from Harry Ottley and Olly Wood. Riches calmed the nerves with a penalty before the Isle of Wight drove for a close-in try to bring the score back to within seven points.
But Ventnor had the last word when James Blake and Dan Mew made ground in midfield, Broomfield took it on, and James Green drove over for a try, which Riches converted to leave the final scoreline 20 – 34.
Full time: Isle of Wight 20-34 Ventnor
Report supplied by James Morton of Ventnor RFC
