Ventnor gained revenge for the Isle of Wight’s victory at Watcombe earlier in the season with a win at Wootton on Saturday (18th March).
The home team were on the front foot for the 1st quarter of the game, putting massive pressure on the Ventnor set piece and running hard lines to bring out the best in Ventnor’s unshakable defence. The Isle of Wight took a lead after 10 minutes with a comprehensive push-over try in a scrum against the head, which suggested a hard day in the office for the visitors.
Ventnor hit back with an interception try from Sam Lines when he gambled on the rush and took a miraculous catch almost from behind his back. Tom Crews calmly slotted the conversion from far out, and Ventnor took the lead against the run of play.
There was parity at scrum time, and Ventnor’s line-out – with Lewy Morton dominant – was performing well thanks to the precision throwing of skipper Lewis Jones. Ventnor’s front row of George Collett, Jones and Adam Pratt won a penalty at a scrum, the ball was moved upfield, and Lines put a deft kick over the top that Ben Cooper and Ben Souter almost fashioned into a try. Ventnor won the penalty and Crews added to his kicking tally.
The home team went back on the attack but were repelled with some extraordinary defence with Chris Hill, Joe Coghlan, Jason Coltham and Morton to the fore. Fergus Kenny had a dislocated thumb sorted by Zoe Jones and returned to the fray in time to see the Isle of Wight level the scores when a speculative kick ahead resulted in a try to leave the scores level as the halftime whistle blew.
Half time: Isle of Wight 10-10 Ventnor
Ventnor set their stall out early in the 2nd half with Kenny kicking for position and the chasers – Jake Babington, Ed Blake and Souter – creating all sorts of pressure for the home team’s back 3. From this attacking field position, Morton charged down a clearing kick, Coltham returned the ball into the heart of the defence, and Ventnor set siege to the line before Hill crashed over for the try.
Kenny had to leave the field for Luke Butler to take his place. Babington and Morton pulled off a try-saving tackle when the Isle of Wight made a rare clean break, and Butler moved the ball downfield to relieve the pressure. Ventnor set up a number of phases, Butler sniped, and the ball was moved wide, where the excellent Andy Teague put Hill in for his 2nd try. Crews kicked the conversion and Ventnor were ahead 10 – 22.
Again, the Isle of Wight went back onto the attack, sending in their big runners time and time again, only to see them stopped by some staggering Ventnor defence even after Cooper had been shown a yellow card. Hill – whose body had eventually cried enough – was replaced by Fred Fairman, and the home team were unable to break through despite having the man advantage.
With the clock moving into the red, the Isle of Wight did score a converted try, but it was all too late, and Ventnor were able to celebrate a hard-fought victory.
Full time: Isle of Wight 17-22 Ventnor
