VENTNOR SUFFER NARROW 5-POINT DEFEAT AT ALDERSHOT & FLEET

There were real signs of progress as Ventnor’s 1st XV travelled to play Aldershot and Fleet and suffered a narrow defeat in a game that could have gone either way. Hampered by delays in their travel arrangements as the fog played havoc with the ferry services, Ventnor arrived just 20 minutes before kick-off, so it was no surprise when they were 2 tries down in the first 10 minutes. However, as the Islanders warmed to their task, there were definite signs that the balance of the game was beginning to change as Ben Savill, leading from the front, made progress into the heart of the opposition whose tackling was often found wanting. Grant Richardson and Andrew Teague were prominent in the support of the runner whilst Will Harrison had a great game in his 2nd start as hooker.  The combination of Joe Coghlan, Lewy Morton and Guy Entwistle looked good as a back-row unit in which Entwistle was at his abrasive best while Coghlan and Morton were ubiquitous in all phases of play.  The scrum was still creaking at times but the lineout was much improved with Harrison consistently finding Coghlan and Morton to provide quality ball for Ben Souter and his backs. Despite this improvement, Ventnor suffered a further setback when a kick ahead by Aldershot gave them a platform from which they scored a pushover try to increase their lead to 19 – 0. Ventnor hit back when Ben Cooper combined with Joel Cocks to take the ball deep into the opposition half. The ball went loose but Tom Crews did brilliantly to rescue the faltering move, and Ed Blake was able to force his way over for a try that Crews converted. Ventnor were on the charge now and a powerful line-out maul led by Coghlan summed up Ventnor’s ascendancy. Half time: Aldershot & Fleet 19-7 Ventnor Ventnor made a statement with a stunning start to the 2nd half, as Morton claimed the ball from the kick-off and with support from Dylan Gray and George Collett – having yet another storming game – set up a quick-fire ruck from which Souter forced a penalty. Morton took the quick tap and put Blake in for his 2nd try. Crews again converted and the Islanders were back in the game. Frustratingly, they failed to capitalise on their momentum as the game became scrappy and niggly and Ventnor’s discipline was tested as the referee walked them back twice for some back-chat. Thus, Aldershot made ground and scored from the front of a line out as the Islanders were still smarting from their own self-imposed retreat. Savill laid down the law, and Ventnor got back into the game as Fred Fairman made progress up-field. Morton was high-tackled and another quick tap saw the all-action Dan Lythgoe – on for Richardson – power over for a try. Crews narrowly missed the conversion but Ventnor were on the ascendancy. However, the turning point of the game came when Aldershot were awarded a try from their excellent No 8, which many felt included not only a knock-on but also a foot in touch. This score extended the home team’s advantage to 31 – 19 but Ventnor never took their foot off the gas as Callum Martin came on for Gray and the Islanders went back on the attack and yet another tap penalty gave Blake a deserved hat-trick to bring the game to within one score. Unfortunately, it was not to be as time ran out for the Islanders and the final whistle blew with the score at 31 – 26 Full time: Aldershot & Fleet 31-26 Ventnor Most felt that this was a game that got away from Ventnor through their own inability to capitalise on their own skills, combined with some basic errors, which allowed the opposition to turn defence into forward momentum.  However, Ventnor will take great heart from this performance, as the two bonus points gained lifted them from the foot of the table with the added prospect of  their 4 closest rivals still due to visit Watcombe in the new year. Ventnor: Collett, Harrison, Savill (capt), Teague, Richardson, Coghlan, L.Morton, Entwistle, Souter, Cooper, Fairman, Crews, E.Blake, Gray, Cocks Subs: Lythgoe, Martin, Fox Coaches: Jason Evans and Clive Cardwell-Hill Physio: Sarah Watt The A J Wells Man of the Match:  Ed Blake. The Red Funnel Moment of the Match: Dan Lythgoe Next Saturday (9th December), Ventnor 1sts entertain Overton at Watcombe. Kick-off at 14:00 while Ventnor’s 2nds travel to Portsmouth 3rds.