Thanks to Ross Harris for this latest report from Ventnor RFC. Ed
Alton 1st XV 12-12 Ventnor 1st XV
From the get go, events were pitted against Ventnor with players narrowly missing the ferry. Though managing to regroup in Southampton, the situation was made worse by a massive road accident on the M27, which resulted in Ventnor arriving at Alton over an hour and a half late with just enough light to play an hour of rugby.
Unsurprisingly, with no warm-up from Ventnor, it was Alton who dealt the initial blow, with Ventnor losing the first arm wrestle against a very eager Alton side.
Ventnor immediately responded by a slick team move starting with an exquisite line out throw from James Morley, resulting in the majestic Ben Lush crashing over to tie the game five/five. Again, Ventnor got into a wrestling match against a heavy and determined Alton pack resulting in Alton scoring late in the first 40 minutes, to go into the break five points up.
Fading light
With light and time against them, it was Ventnor who started the brighter side in the second half which lasted only 20 minutes. From a flurry of forward and back moves Ventnor was on the march with the ever elusive Sam ‘twinkle toe’ Lines carving a massive hole in the Alton three quarter line to score under the posts, where Fergus Kenny converted to tie the game 12/12.
Unfortunately, Ventnor, though finishing the stronger team, couldn’t capitalise on the game due to failing light, but all were glad to bring back some points after a very hard and frustrating day at the office.
Ventnor look forward to entertaining Kingsclere at home in two weeks time at Watcombe Bottom.
Squad: Dawson, Petifer, Gilbert, Pemberton, Morely, Simpson, Pikard, Magnuson, Berry, Kenny, Urbonas, Lush, Babington, Harris, Lines, Newman, Stemmet, Blake
AJ Wells Man of the Match: Andy Gilbert
Ventnor Haven Fishery Cod Eye of the Day: Ed Blake
Ventnor 2nd XV
With the Ventnor 2nd XV fixture being cancelled by the opposition the Alton 2nd XV very kindly offered to field some of our players against Petersfield. We would like to thank Alton for this very generous offer and giving half-a-dozen of our players a well-needed run out.
Image: Trek Track under CC BY 2.0
