Ventnor RFC rounded off their pre-season preparations with a 25-12 victory away at Blandford on Saturday.
The contest remained in the balance well into the second half before Ventnor’s superior fitness and handling saw the Island side pull away with 3 late tries.
Blandford entered the match fresh from an unbeaten season in Dorset’s Counties Three league, which earned them promotion, meaning the fixture provided a stern test for 2 sides preparing to step up a level.
The hosts enjoyed the better of the early exchanges, with Ventnor’s set scrum and lineout having to adjust to several players operating out of position.
However, Arran Robinson, Gilbey and Pratt soon sorted out the issues in the front row and gained parity, allowing Ventnor’s talented backs to come increasingly into the game.
Preston Williams, making his debut, demonstrated his distribution skills at fly-half, while a raking 50:22 kick provided another glimpse of his capabilities.
It was Blandford who struck first, though, with a good move down the left following a set scrum.
Ventnor responded immediately, with Jason Coltham, Ed Blake and Tom Branagh making inroads before forcing a penalty, which Josh Ford converted.
Branagh then fed Ford at the base of the scrum, giving the scrum-half the opportunity to sidestep his way over for a try which he converted himself.
Half time: Blandford 5-10 Ventnor
Louis Malkin entered the action for Ventnor, with Ford moving to fly-half.
However, Ford’s attempted grubber kick was blocked by the Blandford defence, resulting in a converted try which put the home side back in front at 12-10.
Ventnor responded with some excellent running rugby, with Boss Ibose, Tom Scadden and Max Henley in full flow as the Blandford pack began to struggle with the pace of the game.
The hosts’ limited attacking opportunities were also blunted by the powerful tackling of Alec Bulpitt, Lewy Morton and Robinson.
Ventnor scored next after a flowing move up the right resulted in a quickly taken penalty, allowing Morton to break through the defence before Malkin and Branagh combined to put Blake in for an excellent score.
That was soon followed by another try when a lineout maul saw the ball worked wide to the left, with Scadden putting Hayden Lythgoe over.
It was all Ventnor by this stage, with Luke Starkey making an impact after coming onto the field.
The ball was worked up the left, with Scadden weaving his way towards the line before Malkin fed Williams, whose flick-on pass put Luke Butler in at the corner to complete the scoring.
Full time: Blandford 12-25 Ventnor
Head coach Damien Marriott said:
“Another really positive test for us against a very physical Blandford side.
“They had an incredible season last year, so we knew this would be a big step up and exactly the sort of challenge we wanted before the league begins.
“The first half was about understanding the conditions and playing them properly. We managed the game well, played in the right areas, but the second half really impressed me – our skill set really started to come to life.
“We began moving the ball with more confidence, playing into space and showing more of the attacking rugby we’ve been working hard on throughout pre-season.
“There are still areas we need to sharpen up, but that’s exactly what these games are for.
“To finish pre-season with another win, against such a physical and competitive side, is really pleasing. More importantly, we’ve put ourselves in a great position going into next week.”
Ventnor: Pratt, Gilbey, Robinson, L Morton (capt), Coltham, E Blake, Bulpitt, Branagh, J Ford, Williams, Butler, H Lythgoe, Ibose, Souter, Scadden Subs: Starkey, Malkin, Henley Coaches: Damien Marriott, Andy Teague Medic: Claire Mumford
A J Wells Man of the Match: Arran Robinson
Red Funnel Moment of the Match: Max Henley
Howden Insurance Supporter of the Day: Rhys Cole
Ventnor’s 1st XV begin their league campaign at Watcombe next Saturday (26th September), when they welcome Romsey for a 15:00 kick-off.
