An exceptional all-court performance by Ventnor’s 2nd XV resulted in a hard-fought victory against a strong Tottonians 3rds in the Hampshire Premier South.
Skipper Jack Rushton was exhorting his team to give him the 80 minutes that they had been promising all season, and it was Nathan Frampton who encapsulated this by some thunderous defence against the big Tottonians forwards that stopped them in their tracks. Galvanised by this example, Ventnor were like terriers in defence and this pressure forced a penalty that Harry Ottley calmly slotted to sooth the nerves.
Although the sheer weight of the visitors’ pack put the home scrum under pressure throughout, somehow Tim Davis (playing out of position at prop), Henrik Brown and Rushton somehow kept control and Will Bloomfield and Rosco Harris did wonderfully well to get the ball away to Ottley and his backs.
At the lineout, Lewy Morton and his lifters put the opposition under so much pressure that the Totts hooker was guilty of several crooked throws, which compromised the continuity provided by their quality kicking game. Ventnor continued on the front foot, and a series of penalties saw the ageless Warren Riches take a quick tap. Morton flung out a long pass and Luke Steele darted over.
Despite some extreme pressure from the visitors, it was Ventnor who scored again when Ottley fed Ed Clarke, who powered into and through the opposition ranks and was just held up short. Great support from Ewan Castle and Bloomfield saw the ball fired out to Steele, and the Irishman flew in for his 2nd try. Ottley converted and suddenly it was 15 – 0.
Tottonians are a good team having a great season and were not going to go down without a fight and scored 2 tries of their own – the latter coming in the last minute of the 1st half, with Jake Babington in the bin for a high tackle. The score at the break was 18-12, Ottley having kicked a penalty in between the 2 Totts’ tries.
Half time: Ventnor 2nd XV 18- 12 Tottonians 3rd XV
The crowd – braving the cold – began to worry if the game might be slipping away, and these feelings were not relieved by Tottonians starting the 2nd half strongly and piling on the pressure on Ventnor’s try line. A score appeared inevitable despite the incredible defence, with Davis and Brown to the fore when Clarke turned over the ball and came barrelling out from his line. Morton kicked ahead and, somehow, Ottley gathered and put Louis Wyatt clear to touch down and turn the game firmly back in Ventnor’s favour. Ottley converted.
Tottonians never gave up, but another break out, this time by Bloomfield, backed up by Olly Wood, saw Wyatt released again. This time, he was stopped short, but a hasty clearance was charged down by Harris, who plunged on the ball to score. Latterly, Davis was unlucky to receive a yellow, and Ventnor were struggling when Castle had to leave the field of play with a recurring shoulder injury, so Tom Smith came on for a debut and showed he was up to the fight with a good run and a series of punishing tackles. Despite this, Totts scored a couple of good tries, but Ottley calmed the nerves with a late penalty, and Ventnor were able to see the game out for a 33-22 win.
Full time: Ventnor 2nd XV 33-22 Tottonians 3rd XV
With this bonus point win, Ventnor lift themselves to 6th in the league, with a series of home games still to come. Coach Dean Magnurson was delighted with the commitment and skill shown by his players, which promises so much for the future.
Ventnor: T.Davis, Brown, Rushton (capt), N.Frampton, Castle, Clarke, L.Morton, Bloomfield, Harris, H.Ottley, Wood, Steele, Babington, Wyatt, W.Riches. Subs: T.Smith, S.Frampton, Gibson Coaches: Clive Cardwell-Hill, Dean Magnurson, Todd Riches Physio: Zoe Jones
A.J.Wells Man of the Match: Luke Steele
Red Funnel Moment of the Match: Henrik Brown
Howdens Insurance supporter of the day: Sam Frampton (Waterboy)
With this bonus point win, Ventnor lift themselves to 6th in the league, with a series of home games still to come. Coach Dean Magnurson was delighted with the commitment and skill shown by his players, which promises so much for the future.
