Thanks to Nolan for this latest report from the Ventnor Rugby Team. Ed
On Saturday 9th November a number of VRFC club members will be travelling to Twickenham for the England v Argentina Autumn International.
Before the game players will be taking part in Charity Game for the RFU Injured player fund and the Richard Engelgardt Trust. Richard is the brother of Rob Engelgardt, a Ventnor member. VRFC have supported Richard since his rugby injury in 2009 which has left him paralysed and in a wheelchair.
The RFU support Richard too and this game is a thank you for all the work and support they have given to Richard and his family.
Charity game and auction
Ventnor are travelling up with about 40 members from the Island and meeting a further 20 members of Richard’s old club and other clubs who have also supported Richard’s trust.
The game will see a Richard Engelgardt select XV take on the House of Commons and Lords RFC.
After the game there is an auction of England RFU memorabilia together with other rugby memorabilia. We hope to raise in excess of £2,000 on the day, and any donations can be made via Ventnor Rugby Club.
Petersfield 1st XV 34-6 Ventnor 1st XV
Ventnor have not been able to get consistent run of games so far this season with bye weeks and then a team calling off last week.
Ventnor started well in this game with some attacking play and a strong defensive line. The Ventnor team was made up of players either playing out of position or debut games due to injury and an ill-timed birthday.
Nevertheless Ventnor played as a team and managed to get six points before the break, all coming from Damien Marriott with a penalty kick and then a drop goal after great game line making runs from the Pickard brothers Sam and Gethin to get Ventnor into a good position.
Petersfield had a few strong runners and managed to get a try and convert it before half time. In the second half Petersfield’s 15 had Ventnor pinned in the bottom corner using the wind to his advantage, so as every time Ventnor tried to break they would end up back in their own 22.
Ventnor had also encountered a number of injuries in the first half with meaning the 50 year old Nigel Malkin had to play a full half. Petersfield’s game plan was working and their forwards were crashing over the line to put the home side ahead and eventually winning the game with a number of tries.
Easy points for 2nd team
Ventnor’s 2nd team were awarded a second successive home walk over and four points with Overton second team failing to travel.
Team: Dan Newberry, Tristan Price, Sam Pickard, Gethin Pickard,Damien Marriott, Aaron Marriott, Ross Harris, William Babington,Shaun Williams, Jim Pemberton, Lewis Jones, Ed Blake, Ryan Cooper, Tobias Penner, Nigel Malkin, Nathan Ricketts, Andy Woodman
Wight link man of the match: Damien Marriott
AJ Wells Black Dog Award: Ed Blake
Match Report By William Babington
Image: sjbresnahan under CC BY 2.0
