Ventnor turned on the style and knocked in 10 tries against Fareham Heathens in front of a large crowd at Watcombe Bottom on Saturday (21st January).
From the whistle, Ventnor played at a tempo that was hard to live with and epitomised by skipper Lewis Jones, who was everywhere in attack and defence. Babington got the scoreboard rolling with a try out wide after some good interchanges in midfield. Dan Bell then made a typical break from the back of the scrum, took out the defence and offloaded to Blake to touch down. Kenny converted and after ten minutes Ventnor were 12 points to the good and confidence was flowing through the whole squad.
Fareham then exerted some pressure of their own, and it took a massive defensive effort by the entire Ventnor squad to hold them out, in which Ben Savill was harshly yellow-carded for offside. Despite this, Ventnor were able to break the shackles and move upfield. The ball went loose, but Lewy Morton created a turnover, Ben Cooper made yards, and Kenny put Harry Colson into a hole, and the big second-row crashed over for a try, which Kenny again converted. In this move, the unfortunate Guy Entwistle was injured and Price came on to cover Savill’s absence in the front row.
Fareham then failed to clear a missed penalty attempt, Colson and Joe Coghlan turned the ball over, and Babington cantered in to claim his 2nd try. Savill returned, and George Finan came on as replacement for the injured Entwistle. Bell made another break, Jones secured the ball, which passed through several hands before Blake’s floated pass found Crews, who dived over for a try that he converted himself from wide out.
Cooper then went close himself after good work by Finan but couldn’t keep possession as he was tackled by 3 defenders in the corner. A scrum soon followed this against the head on the Heathens line, in which Savill, Jones and the deceptively powerful George Collett took their front-row opposition to the cleaners so that Bell had the simple job of touching down as the Ventnor 8 shunted forward. The halftime whistle sounded, and Ventnor were 38 points up without Fareham troubling the scoreboard.
Halfr time: Ventnor 38 – 0 Fareham Heathens
The 2nd half was not of the same quality: Fareham scored 3 tries of their own. Both Savill and Cooper were injured, so Price and Jason Coltham came on. Bell made another break, Morton kept the movement going and Jones powered over for a well-deserved try. Then, Andy Teague – once again showing his fitness – followed up another break by Bell and touched down under the posts. Crews converted. Crews secured a turnover in midfield, the ball went through the phases with Morton, Crews and Finan prominent, and Bell claimed his 2nd try which Crews converted. In the final move of the match, Bell claimed his hat trick after great work up the middle involving Coghlan, Coltham and Morton. Crews converted to bring the final score to 62 – 17.
Full time: Ventnor 62 – 17 Fareham Heathens
Ventnor: Savill, Jones (capt), Collett, Teague, Colson, L.Morton, Coghlan, Bell, Kenny, Butler, E.Blake, Entwistle, B.Cooper, J.Babington, Crews. Subs: Price, Coltham, Finan Coaches: Jason Evans, Fergus Kenny and Clive Cardwell-Hill Physio: Steve Marsh and Sarah Watt
A J Wells man of the match: Luke Butler
Red Funnel moment of the match: Ed Blake
In their other game, Ventnor’s 2nd XV came from behind to beat Tottonians 4th XV with a final score of 24 – 21.
