Thanks to Nolan for sharing this latest match report from Ventnor RFC. Ed
Ventnor 1st XV 21-5 Aldershot & Fleet 1st XV
The first half saw a lot of kicking from both sides, with a lot of stopping and starting with scrums and line outs which proved to be a problem for both teams battling against the weather conditions and keeping the throwing in straight.
The first points came from Ventnor’s Ed Blake who received the ball in space and managed to use his speed to go round A&F’s defence and touch down under the posts and Fergus Kenny to convert.
The visitors came back strong as suspected and played to their strengths using their number eight to gain yards down the pitch. This eventually led to a maul five meters from the try line and drove over the line to bring the score to 7-5 which remained the score for the first half with neither team able to get a foot hold in the game.
Second half action
The second half picked up where the first half finished with neither team being dominant. Not long into the half Ventnor were down to 14 men after a frustrated Ross Harris was shown yellow.
A&F were not able to capitalise on having the extra man and Ventnor defended well keeping the score at 7-5. Back to full strength and with all three impact substitutes on Ventnor started to control the game, Nolan Winter came close to getting his first 1XV try for it to then be held up but A&F were not able to do the same again, with Todd Riches crashing through the defence to get Ventnor’s second try and Damien Marriott to convert.
The last points of the game from Sam Lines. Lines made an interception inside his own half and then run the length of the pitch to score under the posts, again converted by Marriott bringing the final score to 21-5. Another win to help with the promotion pushing Ventnor squad.
Match sponsors: The Leconfield, Reynolds & Read Ltd, Ron Hunt, Hepburn Planning Consultancy
Team: Daniel Newbery, Lewis Jones, Andy Gilbert, Rob Simpson, James Morely, Gareth Davies, Shaun Williams, Paul Berry, Aaron Marriott, Fergus Kenny, Jake Babington, Sam Lines, Ed Blake, Ross Harris, Darrell Bolton, Damien Marriott, Todd Riches, Nolan Winter
Wightlink Man Of The Match: Shaun Williams
A.J.Wells Black Dog Award: Ross Harris
Later in the evening Bill Gee attended the race night held at Ventnor Cricket Club where he presented a cheque for £150. The donation was towards VCC new score board and was raised as part of the charity day in November where representatives of VRFC played the Commons and Lords RFU.
Image: © With kind permission of Calculus Photography
