Ventnor RFC sealed promotion to Hampshire Counties Two with an emphatic victory over Portsmouth at Watcombe Bottom at the weekend.
The 1st XV produced an outstanding all-round performance to secure promotion, combining relentless defence with clinical finishing against a determined Portsmouth side.
Despite enjoying significant possession in the opening half, Portsmouth were repeatedly shut down by a disciplined Ventnor defence that forced errors and limited them to kicking options. In response, Alec Bulpitt, Ed Blake and Tom Crews were quick to counter, turning defence into attack.
Up front, Harry Bexon-Stone, Jewy Jones and Jack Rushton faced a heavier Portsmouth pack but held firm at the set piece, ensuring Ventnor maintained a solid platform throughout.
The hosts opened the scoring after a Ford 50-22 set up a lineout opportunity, with Harvey Wheeler crashing over under the posts. Ford converted for 7-0. Ventnor extended their lead when Ford broke blind, Butler kicked ahead and Blake fed Tom Branagh to score between the sticks. Ford again converted to make it 14-0.
Branagh soon added his 2nd after pouncing on a Portsmouth error, before Ford secured the bonus point with a well-worked try following strong interplay between Jones and Blake. With Ford converting, Ventnor led 26-0.
Portsmouth hit back with a soft try, but Ventnor responded immediately as Bulpitt’s pressure created turnover ball for Wheeler to score his 2nd. A penalty try for Portsmouth just before the break reduced the deficit.
Half time: Ventnor 31-14 Portsmouth 2nds
Ventnor started the 2nd half in style with the try of the match. Slick handling involving Crews, Ford and Max Wheeler allowed the ball to be moved through multiple hands before Jason Coltham finished in the corner.
Changes saw Joe Coghlan introduced at scrum-half and Ford move to fly-half, while Riley Lloyd made an impact in the front row. Ford’s 2nd 50-22 relieved pressure before Broomfield powered over from close range, with Ford converting for 43-14.
A moment of brilliance from Jewy Jones saw him sprint nearly the length of the field, only to be denied just short, but Ventnor maintained pressure and Hayman forced his way over from a ruck. Ford converted to bring up 50 points.
Ventnor’s dominance continued straight from the restart as Ford broke and released Blake, who cut through the defence for another converted try, stretching the lead to 57-14.
Portsmouth had the final say with a late converted try, but the result was never in doubt as Ventnor ran out emphatic winners to confirm promotion.
Full time: Ventnor 57-21 Portsmouth 2nds
After the game, head coach Damien Marriott said:
“I’m massively proud of the lads today. We got the result by playing the kind of rugby we’ve wanted to build all season – fast, brave and accurate.
“Our tempo caused them real problems and once we got into the game, they really struggled to live with us.
“What pleased me most was that we also matched a much more physical pack and found a way to impose ourselves on the game.
“I want to congratulate every single player on securing promotion. The lads have been outstanding all season and thoroughly deserve this moment.”
Ventnor: Bexon-Stone, Jones, Rushton, Coltham, Hayman, L Morton (c), Broomfield, H Wheeler, Ford, Butler, E Blake, Branagh, M Wheeler, Bulpitt, Crews. Subs: Lloyd, Coghlan, Souter Coaches: Damien Marriott, Clive Cardwell-Hill, Todd Riches and Andy Teague Physio: Sarah Watt.
A.J. Wells Man of the Match: Cody Hayman.
Red Funnel Moment of the Match: Jewy Jones and Max Wheeler.
Howden Insurance Supporters of the Day: Gary Freeston and Graham Simler.
Next Saturday (28th March), Ventnor face Isle of Wight at Watcombe.
What a season for those lads! Great work and Congrats