Ventnor’s pre-season friendly at Romsey on Saturday (9th August) began badly after travel delays, with the Division 2 side scoring twice in the first 10 minutes.
With 2 debutants in the squad and several players in unfamiliar positions, Ventnor took time to settle. Romsey’s first try came after a lost line-out allowed their number eight to run in unopposed. As Ventnor adjusted, their defensive line speed improved and first-up tackles began to stop Romsey’s hard-running centres. Skipper Lewy Morton led the tackle count, backed by strong hits from brothers Max and Harvey Wheeler.
Momentum shifted when Fred Fairman made a blistering run up the left, only to be stopped by a heavy tackle that forced him off with a shoulder injury. Jack Gilbey moved into the back row, with Joe Coghlan taking a place in the centres. A rare kick ahead gave debutant Noah McKinney a chance to pressure the Romsey full-back, with Morton unlucky to be penalised while attempting to win the ball near the try line.
Ventnor’s scrum began to dominate, with Henrik Brown accurate at the line-out, but 2 more tries for Romsey before half-time saw the score reach 24-0. Injuries to Iain Reeves and further substitutions brought Jordan Allen into the game, and Ventnor finished the half on the attack.
The second half opened with a quick penalty sending Dan Lythgoe into Romsey’s defence. Fast handling through Souter, Malkin, Crews and Morton put Max Wheeler over for Ventnor’s first try, converted by Crews. Some on-field tension saw players clash under the posts, but Ventnor’s set-piece dominance continued.
Crews and Ed Blake linked well in attack before Crews was forced off with a knee injury. A missed knock-on allowed Romsey another score, and a quick penalty led to a further home try. Ventnor, however, finished strongly, with Coghlan intercepting a pass at full pace to score their 2nd try, levelling the 2nd half 12-12.
Full time: Romsey 36-12 Ventnor
Ventnor: Rushton, Brown, Lythgoe, Coltham, I.Reeves, Coghlan, L.Morton (capt), H.Wheeler, Souter, E.Blake, Malkin, M.Wheeler, Fairman, McKinney, Crews. Subs: Allen, Gilbey, Martin Coaches: Clive Cardwell-Hill and Todd Riches
A.J.Wells Man of the Match: Harvey Wheeler
Red Funnel Moment of the Match: Max Wheeler
