Ventnor – who travelled with just 16 players – put on an exceptional display in Hampshire Counties 3 at Overton on Saturday 26th October.
After a stuttering performance against Romsey the previous Saturday, director of rugby Neil Evans brought in 3 debutants in Henrik Brown, Jonah Lewin and Alec Bulpitt, with Iain Reeves and Olly Wood coming on for only their 2nd game in the first team.
The Islanders settled into their roles, and the set scrum creaked against the weight and experience of the Overton pack. It was the home team who struck first, with a close-in try after a penalty set up their position. But Ventnor shook it off and came straight back into the game, as Ben Souter’s excellent distribution allowed Ben Cooper to act as a pivot to send his forwards into the heart of the home defence.
The energy and power of Dan Lythgoe, Jewy Jones and skipper Ben Savill were in evidence as they constantly tested the resolve of the Overton defence with the support of Reeves, Lewin and George Collett ensuring clean possession from which to launch further inroads.
The home team were struggling to cope with this onslaught and began to concede penalties, which set up the platform for Lewy Morton to burrow over for a try. Ed Blake converted and it was all square.
Both teams tested each other’s defence, and there were moments of concern for the Islanders in which Wood and Callum Martin worked wonders to keep out their opposing wide players. The tide began to run Ventnor’s way when, from a line-out on halfway, substitute Tim Davis drove into the midfield defence and set up a quick ruck, from which Lewin and Collett got the ball back to Blake, who set off on an arcing run to the right. Bulpitt and Martin kept the wide-out defence guessing, and Blake was able to power on through and touch down.
Soon afterwards, another attack – highlighted by a straightening charge by Brown – gave Cooper the chance to open it up, and Bulpitt put Layton Greatorex into space, from which the powerful centre brushed off the remnants of the defence to put Ventnor 10 points to the good at the break.
Half time: Overton 7–17 Ventnor
Overton’s experience and pride meant they were not going to capitulate, and the 2nd half was one of blow and counter blow, in which the defence of Morton, Cooper, Jones and Savill was outstanding, and no Ventnor player shirked his responsibility.
Savill was harshly yellow carded after he had been pushed out a line-out, but his players kept up the pressure and – from a turnover in midfield – Cooper set Bulpitt away. Greatorex was there in support and took the pass to touch down for his 2nd score and the try bonus point, which Blake converted.
Full time: Overton 7-24 Ventnor
Ventnor: Lythgoe, Brown, Collett, Reeves, Lewin, Jones, L.Morton, Savill (capt), Souter, Cooper, Wood, Greatorex, Bulpitt, Martin, E.Blake. Sub: T. Davis Coaches: Neil Evans, Clive Cardwell-Hill, Todd Riches and Dean Magnurson Physio: Sarah Watt
A.J.Wells Man of the Match: Lewis Morton
Red Funnel Moments of the Match: Jonah Lewin and Alec Bulpitt
Ventnor 1sts now have a week off before hosting Portsmouth 2nds on the 9th November.
Ventnor 2nd XV travelled the short distance to Millbrook looking to put up a good fight against an in-form team but with a reduced squad struggling with injuries, it wasn’t to be.
Ventnor started brightly, making good ground with Luke Ottley – on debut – and Bob Parker with some terrific carries through the defence, and Jason Coltham and Dean Magnurson close by to clear out any chance of a breakthrough from the hosts.
A try was brewing, and Will Broomfield managed to break the defensive line with a brilliant run. The ball popped out to Harry Ottley through the back and out to Ewan Castle and Jack Gilbey before being tackled into touch.
Ventnor held their own in the scrum, lead by the front line of skipper Jack Rushton, Gary Ball and Brad Francis, making sure they won every battle and some, with Ross Harris working magic out the back of the scrum.
Ventnor tried to utilise the space on the wings, with Dan Peat and Gavin Davis linking up to break through a very well set up defence.
A valiant display from a depleted 2nd XV, but the fight and spirit were there from start to finish despite Millbrook’s apparent infinite number of substitutes.
Millbrook 2nd XV 70 – 7 Ventnor 2nd XV
Ventnor: Rushton (capt), Frances, Ball, Coltham, Parker, D.Magnurson, Castle, Broomfield, Harris, H.Ottley, Gilbey, L.Ottley, Peat, G.Davis Coaches: Neil Evans, Clive Cardwell-Hill, Todd Riches, Dean Magnurson
A J Wells Man of the Match: Will Broomfield
Red Funnel Moment of the Match: Ewan Castle
