Thanks to Nolan for sharing this match report written by Ben Savill for Ventnor RFC. Ed
Fareham Heathens 1st XV 43-5 Ventnor 1st XV
Ventnor travelled away again this week for a highly anticipated clash with sixth in the table Fareham Heathens. Looking for their first win of the season and with the force of ‘Storm Brian’ in full effect it looked like a rocky trip both on and off the pitch for the travelling side.
The match started with high hopes. This season’s Captain, William Babinton, lead from the front with a great physical display, partnered well by scrum half, Andrew Gough, marching the Ventnor 15 up the pitch. A momentary lapse of concentration however saw the Heathens capitalise with two tries in quick succession. This would see the rest of the half played out in the same manner, with the home side putting four tries past the visitors before the whistle went for the half time break.
Ventnor’s only try
Ventnor came out the blocks looking like a different side, the forward duos of Morley-Jones and Savill-Edwards saw Ventnor breaking the game line with thunderous runs. The dominant phase play of the forwards pressured the home team to concede penalties, giving the back line the chance to counter with quick ball from the tap restarts.
The final blow came from Gough with a pick and go five meters out scoring Ventnor’s only try.
A hard score to bear
As the weather picked up in its brutality, the home team scored again through a well worked routine in open play. League debutante’s Andrew Teague and Ben Gough stepped up, coming on as replacements for a fractured Ventnor side working well in the defensive line.
However again Fareham was able to capitalise from a turn over and scored the final try of the game. The 43-5 loss was a hard score to bear for the visitors, but improvement was seen and after this weekend’s league break, the boys in blue look forward to working on the positives of this game away to Bognor.
AJ Wells Man of the Match: Lewis Jones
Ventnor Haven Fisher Cod Eye of the Day: Sam Dawson
Squad: Price, Tucker, Pratt, Savill, Green, Jones, Dawson, Morely, A.Gough, Babington, Dobbas, Edwards, Allen, Blake, Urbonas, Gilbert, Teague, B. Gough
Image: Trek Track under CC BY 2.0
