Ventnor looked to kick off 2025 with a win at home to top-of-the-table Millbrook at Watcombe Bottom with a 27-man strong team for this clash against such tough opposition.
Ventnor looked to start the game powerfully with some great running from Joe Coghlan and Jack Gilbey making good yards. Ventnor dominated the scrums most of the half, with some heavy hits from Henrik Brown, Chris Skelley and Charlie Magnurson, which left Millbrook no choice but to work the ball out wide for the 1st try of the game.
Warren Riches at full back took advantage of some brilliant kicks to set Corey Turner and Ollie Wood off down the line to make good ground for the hosts with Louis Wyatt and Nathan Frampton following up to make crucial tackles to stop them making ground. Millbrook then took advantage of some space on the wing to get a second try to make it 14-0
Half Time: Ventnor 2XV 0-14 Millbrook 2XV
The 2nd half kicked off, and Ventnor came out stronger than ever with Warren Riches and Jake Babbington making good ground with some intelligent kick and chance moves which allowed Ventnor further up the pitch. Some much needed fresh legs with Ed Clarke, George Collett and Iain Reeves put on to bolster the drive for some points on the board, and this paid off with some beautiful ball work and a hard drive through the defence by Lewy Morton to score Ventnor’s first try of the game, converted by Harry Ottley.
Ventnor made further changes with debuts handed to Sean Frampton, Luke Steele and Jack Gibson, who showed real determination and grit to set the foundations for their new team. With one try under their belt, this spurred on the mighty lions to push for another try and it didn’t take long before Will Broomfield took a chance for a pick-and-go to drive through and score Ventnor’s second try, converted again by Harry Ottley
Millbrook managed to break through twice more to condemn Ventnor to defeat.
Full time: Ventnor 2XV 14-35 Millbrook 2XV

The A J Wells Man of the Match: Will Broomfield
The Red Funnel Moment of the Match: Ollie Wood
Coaches: Clive Cardwell-Hill, Todd Riches: Dean Magnurson
Physio: Zoe Jones
Ventnor 2xv are at home against Tottonians 3xv in their next fixture. Ventnor 1xv make the trip across the silent to opposition Romsey 1XV.