Ventnor let their last game of the season at Aldershot & Fleet slip through her grasp.
Ventnor travelled with a group of vocal supporters who watched their team struggle at the beginning of the game as the A&F scrummage won a penalty, set up an attack close to Ventnor’s line and scored from a no 8 pick-up off another dominant scrum.
This wake-up call seemed to motivate the Islanders, and Ed Blake at flyhalf began to use the boot to gain territory while George Collett, Jewy Jones and Dan Lythgoe sorted out the scrum. Alec Bulpitt and Fred Fairman combined well in the centres, and Ventnor’s pressure caused A&F to get on the wrong side of the referee’s whistle.
Joe Coghlan saw a gap with a tap penalty, and Lewy Morton’s pass put Lythgoe into space, and he battered his way over for a try that Blake converted. Ventnor now led 5 – 7, and this stayed the same deep into the 2nd half, during which time they were able to stamp their authority on the game although A & F had their moments, and it took try-saving tackles from Olly Wood, Jack Gilbey and Coghlan to keep the Islanders in the lead.
Morton and skipper Ben Savill once again did well in the lineout, which provided plenty of good possession, but runners were getting isolated and support players were flopping off their feet at rucks, and the referee’s whistle started to dominate the game. This seemed to effect Ventnor’s rhythm and kicks were suddenly finding opposition runners and inviting pressure back on their line. Ben Souter did well as the last line of defence but the tide broke through in the end and the home team scored 2 late tries to snatch the victory 17 – 7.
Aldershot & Fleet 17-7 Ventnor
Ventnor: Collett, Jones, Lythgoe, Coltham, N.Frampton, Gilbey, L.Morton, Savill (capt), Coghlan, E.Blake, Martin, Fairman, Bulpitt, Wood, Souter. Subs: Fox, Brown, S.Frampton
Coaches: Clive Cardwell-Hill, Todd Riches and Dean Magnurson
A. J. Wells Man of the Match: Lewy Morton
Red Funnel Moment of the Match: Ben Savill
Howden Insurance Supporters of the Day: Warren Riches and Dean Magnurson
