After a tremendous performance in a losing cause last Saturday against a very strong Tottonians side, Ventnor’s 2nd XV reassembled for another severe challenge against Chichester’s 3rd XV.
With several players travelling with the 1stXV, skipper Jack Rushton was forced to shuffle his pack, so that some players ended up playing in unaccustomed positions notably Harvey Wheeler in the second row and Jim Pemberton and Ben Cooper on the flanks.
Ventnor started strongly, with the spine of the team (Will Broomfield at 8, Rosco Harris at 9 and Harry Ottley at 10) defining the play to put the team on the front foot. Early on, Ottley put the ball behind the Chichester defence and winger Luke Steele chased hard and caught the Chichester full back in possession. Wheeler and Gav Davis forced the turnover and Bob Parker powered over. Ottley slotted a remarkable conversion from far out.
Chichester came back strongly, and the vocal crowd then witnessed the spirit and determination of the Ventnor team as they held out against a furious assault on their line, exacerbated by several close-in penalties. Pemberton, Cooper and Tim Davis were magnificent in this phase, whilst Tom Smith and Steele cut down anyone who took the ball out wide.
Eventually, the siege was broken, and Ottley was able to clear his lines and Ventnor went back onto the attack. This was led by Gary Ball (on for Parker) and Broomfield, whose charges skittled defenders while the support from Rushton and Wheeler assured a steady stream of good ball, which Harris used to but others through the holes. Gav Davis carried well and Broomfield then took out the last defender to touch down for this 3rd try in 2 matches. Once again, Ottley secured the extra conversion points
Ventnor kept up the pressure and Tim Davis put in a powerful run up the left, the ball was recycled well and Cooper was able to dive over. Ventnor were on fire now and once again Tim Davis made an arcing run down the left. Smith then carried the ball deep into Chichester territory and a great offload saw Olly Wood sprint round under the posts for his first try for Ventnor and the four-try bonus point for his team. Ottley slotted the conversion to make it 26 – 0.
With the power of Ball, Bradley Francis and Rushton in the front row, the set scrums were going well despite the fact that the referee was being lenient to the Chichester pack, whilst the evergreen Warren Riches was providing good ball at the lineout from Francis’ accurate throwing. With this good stream of possession, the Islanders were able to stay on the front foot, and there may have been a tendency for players to overdo taking the ball into contact rather than using their outside support. However, Ottley restored the artistry of rugby with a pin-point kick ahead for Wood to sprint in and just beat the defence for his second try.
The 2nd half began with a fightback from Chichester, where both of their wingers were able to get around the Ventnor defence and score tries – the 2nd one when the ball went to ground just as it looked like Wood was going to grab a hat trick.
Ventnor went back on the offence but an opposition forward was injured and Cooper had to leave the field to even up the teams at 14 versus 14. Harris also came off at this time, having put in a remarkable performance considering his hamstring injury the previous Saturday.
Allan Bridges took over at scrumhalf, and soon Ventnor were camped on Chichester’s line, where Tim Davis was unlucky to be stripped of the ball when in the act of touching down for that oh so elusive first try for the club he has served so well.
Unfortunately, this was just about the last of the action, as 2 more Chichester players took knocks whilst trying to stop yet another Broomfield charge, and the referee blew for time early to end an entertaining game.
Full time: Ventnor 29 – 12 Chichester
Ventnor: Parker, Francis, Rushton (capt), H.Wheeler, T.Davis, Pemberton, B.Cooper, Broomfield, Harris, H.Ottley, Wood, G.Davis, Smith, Steele, W.Riches Subs: Ball, Bridges Coaches: Clive Cardwell-Hill, Dean Magnurson, Todd Riches and Andy Teague Physio: Zoe Jones
A.J. Wells Man of the Match: Tim Davis
Red Funnel Moment of the Match: Olly Wood and Jack Rushton
Howdens Insurance supporter of the day: Ewan Castle
