Ventnor 1st XV made a winning start to their Hampshire Counties Two campaign with victory over Romsey at Watcombe on Saturday.
Resplendent in their new kit, Ventnor started with terrific energy, with Tom Scadden to the fore as he sidestepped his way up the pitch.
A strong Romsey side were immediately forced onto the back foot as Ventnor’s link play drew a number of infringements, with Josh Ford narrowly missing an early penalty attempt.
The Islanders did not have to wait much longer to open the scoring.
A dominant tackle from Billy Graham halted a Romsey attack before Joe Coghlan turned possession over. Ford took a quick tap and a flowing move involving Lewy Morton, Harvey Wheeler, Luke Butler and Jack Gilbey created the space for Alec Bulpitt to cross.
Ford added the conversion to give Ventnor a 7-0 lead.
Romsey continued to struggle with Ventnor’s continuity and were reduced to 14 men following a yellow card for a strangle tackle on Morton.
Ben Souter and Scadden both came close before Hayden Lythgoe fielded a clearance and Ventnor again moved forward through Scadden and Graham.
Quick ball from the resulting ruck gave Branagh the opportunity to burst over for Ventnor’s second try, stretching the lead to 10-0.
Jimma Pemberton replaced Jason Coltham before Jack Rushton came on for Arran Robinson, who had produced an impressive performance in the front row on his league debut.
The match was then halted for more than an hour after Romsey’s fly-half suffered an injury during a ruck, with an ambulance called to Watcombe.
When play eventually restarted, Romsey reacted quickest and immediately scored a push-over try from a scrum, with an excellent conversion from wide out reducing Ventnor’s advantage.
Half Time: Ventnor 10-7 Romsey
Will Broomfield entered the action after the break but the contest became increasingly scrappy, with Ventnor repeatedly penalised.
Morton was shown a team yellow card before Romsey threatened again, only for the influential Bulpitt to force a crucial turnover.
Ventnor were then reduced further when Butler received a yellow card for a high tackle.
Despite the pressure, strong work from the Lythgoe brothers and Wheeler gave Ford the opportunity to release Branagh, who powered his way over the line for his second try.
Ford converted as the final whistle sounded to seal the victory.
Full Time: Ventnor 17-7 Romsey
After the match, Ventnor head coach Damien Marriott said:
“It’s great to start our league campaign with a win! I thought we played some excellent rugby in the first half and were just one or two passes away from really opening Romsey up.
“Unfortunately, the nasty injury and long stoppage made it difficult to get going again, but I thought the lads showed fantastic character and were outstanding defensively when we needed to dig deep.
“Really proud of the boys today. Most importantly, fingers crossed the injured Romsey player is OK and makes a speedy recovery!”
Ventnor: Robinson, Gilbey, D Lythgoe, L Morton (capt), Coltham, Branagh, Bulpitt, H Wheeler, J Ford, Butler, Graham, Coghlan, H Lythgoe, Souter, Scadden Subs: Rushton, Pemberton, Broomfield Coaches: Damien Marriott, Clive Cardwell-Hill, Andy Teague and Todd Riches Physio: Claire Mumford.
A J Wells Man of the Match: Alec Bulpitt
Red Funnel Moment of the Match: Luke Butler.
Howden Insurance Supporters of the Day: Steve and Lucy Cooper.
Next Saturday (3rd October), Ventnor’s 1st XV host Tottonians 2nds at Watcombe in Hampshire Counties Two, while the 2nd XV travel to Romsey RFC in Hampshire Counties Six.
