Ventnor 2nds suffered a home defeat at the hands of Fareham Heathens.
Fareham Heathens came across to Watcombe with a strong team built around an excellent axis at 8, 9 and 10, some fleet-footed backs and a set of powerful forwards. Ventnor were on the defensive from the first whistle, but it was a task they demonstrated they were more than prepared for with Nathan Frampton, Luke Steele, Ben Cooper and the abrasive Tom Smith leading the way. Despite this effort the Heathens were able to get round the edge and score a couple of early tries and it looked like it may be a long afternoon for the Islanders.
However it didn’t work out that way because Ventnor began to match the opposition for pace and their set piece began to take the sting out of big Heathen forwards, as skipper Jack Rushton, Henryk Brown and Chris Skelley imposed their power in the scrums, and Alex Morton ruled the airways in the line out. Rosco Harris was his usual live-wire self at the base of the scrum and provided excellent service to the ever-improving Harry Ottley and his backline.
In one raid on the opposition’s line Ewan Castle was injured and replaced by Iain Reeves, as coaches Ed Blake and Andy Teague began ringing the changes. Tim Davis entered the fray, and soon the famous pink headgear became the bane of any Heathen attack while Max Wheeler came on to add power to the back line.
Heathens were beginning to punch themselves out against Ventnor’s stubborn defence with notable moments including Olly Wood’s try saver (in which he seemingly led with his nose). From this unpromising position, the Islanders began to make progress with Skelley and Harvey Wheeler leading the charge. At a Heathens scrum in front of their own posts, Ventnor put on the afterburners which hoisted the opposition front-row skywards.
From the resultant penalty, Harris flicked the ball to Will Bloomfield, and the big farmer skittled the defenders and touched down for an outstanding try. Ottley calmly slotted the extras so that the halftime score ended up an encouraging 7 – 12.
Half time: Ventnor 2nds 7-12 Fareham Heathens
The second half saw more changes with Jack Gilbey moving into the scrum as Morton was temporarily withdrawn. Bradley Francis and the veteran Tristan Price made brief appearances and Sean Frampton continued his enthusiastic rugby baptism. Unfortunately for the vocal crowd at Watcombe, the Heathens were able to increase their lead with a couple of tries when Ventnor attacks broke down but the home team showed plenty of ambition and Fred Fairman, who had taken over from Gilbey at full-back, cut a blistering line and almost made it all the way before being dragged down. Then in the final move of the match, Bloomfield picked up at the base of a yet another dominant scrum and kicked ahead. Harvey Wheeler was first to the resultant breakdown and Broomfield was back on hand to crash over for his second try. Once again Ottley slotted the extras to bring the final score to 14 – 29.
Full time: Ventnor 2nds 14-29 Fareham Heathens
Ventnor: Rushton (capt), Brown, Skelley, N.Frampton, Castle, A.Morton, H.Wheeler, Bloomfield, Harris, H.Ottley, Smith, B.Cooper, Steele, Wood, Gilbey.
Subs: Francis, T.Davis, Price, I.Reeves, M.Wheeler, S.Frampton, Fairman Coaches: Clive Cardwell-Hill, Dean Magnurson, Todd Riches, Ed Blake and Andy Teague Physio: Zoe Jones
A.J.Wells Man of the Match: Tom Smith
Red Funnel Moment of the Match: Will Bloomfield
Howdens Insurance supporter of the day: Callum Martin (Linesman)
Next Saturday (15th Feb) Ventnor’s 1sts travel to play Portsmouth 2nds while Ventnor’s 2nds entertain Chichester 3rds at Watcombe.
