Ventnor 2nd XV overcame Isle of Wight 2nd XV by a narrow 4-point margin in a friendly derby at Wootton Rec on Saturday (18th March).
The game kicked off with the Isle of Wight in the ascendancy but finding Ventnor’s erstwhile dodgy defence in combative mood with Bob Parker, James Green, Kyle Draper and Deano Magnurson to the fore. Ventnor’s scrum was coming off second best in the set piece but – marshalled by skipper Jack Rushton – the pack’s work around the field was exemplary and they set up a position where a Harris kick and chase almost resulted in a try.
Unfortunately, the influential Harris had to leave the field with a knock and Cory Turner slotted in at scrumhalf, the veteran Warren Riches moved to flyhalf with Dan Muir coming in at full-back. While this new set-up was settling in, the Isle of Wight managed to pinch a ball from the back of a ruck and scored an excellent try out wide and then increased their lead with a 2nd try when Ventnor failed to clean up a loose ball at the back of the scrum.
However, the game began to turn Ventnor’s way when a clean lineout put Charlie Magnurson in space, and he charged through some ragged defence to score. Riches converted and the visitors were back in the game at 10 -7 at halftime.
Half time: Isle of Wight 2nd XV 10-7 Ventnor 2nd XV
Ventnor started the 2nd half on the front foot and a Riches kick ahead enabled Bradley Frances and Tim Davis to make ground before a sweeping three-quarter move saw Nathan Frampton, Miles Taylor and Steve Maskell put Harry Ottley in for a great team try.
Charlie Magnurson almost got his 2nd try after excellent work by Muir, but he somehow contrived to lose the ball as he crossed the try line. Things were getting a touch testy in the exchanges, and Maskell was giving his marching orders, which meant it was all hands to the pump in defence and Callum Martin came on for Taylor to shore up the barricades.
The home team were held up over the line but returned the resultant drop-out to score and take a narrow 1-point lead (15-14).
With time running out, Ventnor won a penalty, and Riches kicked for touch. 10 metres out from the line, Rushton called the move, and Frances found Parker with a flat throw at the front of the lineout. The powerful forward made ground, set the ball back, and James Blake picked up and dived over for the try. Riches took his time with the conversion attempt, which slid just wide as the referee’s whistle blew for full-time.
Full time: Isle of Wight 2nd XV 15-19 Ventnor 2nd XV
Report compiled with kind assistance of James Morton (Ventnor)
