Ventnor were beaten by a 6-point margin by Southampton at Watcombe Bottom.
The home side started strongly and sustained pressure from the forwards led to a penalty that Harry Ottley calmly slotted.
Following that promising start, life got much harder for the home team, and there began a sustained period of pressure where a powerful Southampton pack camped on their line and only a massive defensive effort kept them out.
This pressure was exacerbated by the unusual sight of Ventnor struggling in the set piece so that any relief was temporary. However, determined tackling kept the tide of attacks at bay whether close into the ruck where Jack Gilbey and Iain Reeves excelled or out wide where the scrambling obstinacy of Lewy Morton and Joe Coghlan caught the eye.
Eventually something had to give, and the impressive Southampton no 8 broke through for a try that was converted.
Ventnor began to impose their own game with Ben Cooper and Ben Bulpit in the centres making inroads as Ottley tested the visitors’ defence with probing kicks. At the same time, Dan Lythgoe, Lewis Jones and George Collett began to gain some parity in the set scrums, so Ventnor’s possession became more plentiful – especially as Morton was doing well in the line-out both on his own ball and on that of the opposition.
It was against the run of play when a Southampton clearing kick took a vicious bounce that evaded Ben Souter and Cory Turner as they looked to have it covered, allowing the visitors’ right winger to race in for a try.
This was also converted, taking the score to 3 – 14 at halftime.
Half time: Ventnor 3-14 Southampton
The 2nd half started inauspiciously as Southampton scored again after a neat blindside move, and things looked bleak for the Islanders. But matters began to look up as the Ventnor began to play away from the scrum as coaches Clive Cardwell-Hill and Todd Riches had advocated at halftime. This had the effect of moving the heavy Southampton forwards around the pitch and gaps began to open.
Will Broomfield was on for Reeves, and he provided a target for his support runners to move the ball wide. A lineout near halfway was won again, and the ball was moved quickly down the line, with Cooper and Bulpit running straight, giving room for Souter to come into the line and set Louis Wyatt on a spectacular sprint into the corner in one of the better tries seen at Watcombe this season. Ottley’s conversion attempt from wide out slipped by the post, but Ventnor were back in the game.
Buoyed by the success of the using the width of the pitch, Ventnor were soon back on the front foot and Southampton’s no 7 was yellow carded in desperate defence. After a scrum on halfway, Broomfield made ground up the middle, the ball was recycled and Jason Coltham galloped up the right. Once again, Ventnor’s continuity was outstanding and Wyatt, Bulpitt and Coghlan combined to put Morton through a hole and his delayed pass saw skipper Ben Savill in for the try to bring the score to 13 – 19.
With victory in sight, Ventnor were relentless in attack as Crews came on for Wyatt and returned Southampton’s clearance kicks with powerful runs into heavy traffic, where Jones and Lythgoe were notable in their support. George Collett was unlucky to receive a yellow after a typically all-action match.
Unfortunately for the Islanders, Southampton to their credit held out, and the final whistle blew to the disappointment of the spectators who had been treated to an excellent game of rugby.
A solitary losing score bonus point was scant reward for such a spirited performance,but the signs are good for this Ventnor squad – even though Southampton retained Eric Johnson’s Hip Joint Trophy!
Full time: Ventnor 13-19 Southampton
Ventnor: Collett, Jones, Lythgoe, Coltham, I.Reeves, Gilbey, L.Morton, Savill (capt), Coghlan, H.Ottley, Wyatt, B.Cooper, Bulpitt, Turner, Souter Subs: Broomfield, Castle, Crews Coaches: Clive Cardwell-Hill, Dean Magnurson, Todd Riches Physio: Sarah Watt
A. J. Wells Man of the Match: Lewy Morton
Red Funnel Moment of the Match: George Collett
Howdens Insurance supporter of the day: Nathan Frampton
