Ventnor ran in 10 tries and kept Lymington Mariners scoreless in a commanding 64-0 victory at Watcombe Bottom on Saturday (31st January), progressing to the quarter-finals.
Ventnor started strongly, taking the first scrum against the head and showing intent despite a few early penalties. Josh Ford broke down the short side before Alec Bulpitt made ground and offloaded to Tom Branagh, who fed Harvey Wheeler to score under the posts. Ford added the extras – the first of seven conversions on the day.
Lymington’s scrum-half was shown a yellow card for a second deliberate knock-on, and Ventnor quickly capitalised. A ruck near the line saw Jack Rushton score, before he crossed again minutes later following strong carries by Jewy Jones and Dan Lythgoe.
Bulpitt was influential throughout, gaining ground with every carry and setting up Ford for Ventnor’s fourth try. Cody Hayman then broke through the defence to create Wheeler’s second. Moments later, excellent play from Lewy Morton and Jason Coltham set up Souter and Bulpitt, who passed inside for Branagh to score.
Halftime score: Ventnor 38 – 0 Lymington
Ventnor rang the changes after the break with Riley Lloyd, Will Broomfield and Max Wheeler all coming on. Even after Hayman was yellow carded for offside, Ventnor kept up the pressure. Hayden Lythgoe’s back-field work led to Tom Scadden slicing through for a fine solo try. Branagh soon grabbed his second with a powerful finish.
Ford then released debutant Archie Lucy with a flicked pass for a well-earned try. Lucy later returned the favour, selflessly setting up Joe Coghlan to round off the scoring.
Full time score: Ventnor 64 – 0 Lymington
Post-match, Ventnor’s coaches praised both the attacking fluidity and the defensive effort in preventing Lymington from scoring.
A respectful moment before kick-off marked the birthday of Tristan ‘Beast’ Price. Lymington presented a No.1 shirt bearing Price’s name, which was held by both captains during a minute’s silence.
Ventnor advance to the quarter-finals of the Community Cup South Plate, scheduled for 2nd May.
Ventnor: Rushton, Jones, D. Lythgoe, L. Morton (capt), Coltham, Hayman, Coghlan, H. Wheeler, Ford, Scadden, Bulpitt, Branagh, H. Lythgoe, Lucy, Souter.
Subs: Lloyd, Broomfield, M. Wheeler Coaches: Damien Marriott, Clive Cardwell-Hill, Todd Riches, Andy Teague Physio: Sarah Watt
A.J. Wells Man of the Match: Tom Scadden and Alec Bulpitt
Red Funnel Moment of the Match: Josh Ford
Howden Insurance Supporters of the Day: The Frampton Triplet
Ventnor’s 2nd XV game was again called off due to the waterlogged pitch at Fareham Heathens.
Next Saturday, Ventnor 1sts travel to Overton in the Counties Three League while the 2nds head to Fawley.
