Thanks to Nolan for forwarding this rugby report by Ed Blake. Ed
Portsmouth IV 0 – 62 Ventnor II
Travelling with a bare 15, Ventnor faced a more numerous opposition in their first game for almost two months. Things didn’t look good for Ventnor and the first 20 minutes of the game being scoreless proved how close this encounter was.
However, Ventnor’s game plan produced results and once the first try was scored the floodgates opened. Calvin Edwards scoring the first points of the day following a tap and go penalty. A brace from Captain Ed Blake put Ventnor in a much firmer place before half time. At this point, hooker Joe Pettyfer arrived after missing two ferries.
In the second half, Ventnor had the strong winds in their favour and used this to help camp down in Portsmouth’s 22. Ventnor’s scrum was dominant and Portsmouth buckled under the pressure and their tight head prop had had too much of Ventnor loose head Tristan Price and went off injured to force uncontested scrums. A pair of hat-tricks for Andy Gough and Rob Ward certainly kept the scoreboard ticking over.
Portsmouth took the opportunity to use their sizeable bench of 11 players to keep their legs fresh, but Ventnor’s squad fitness has improved dramatically this season and so are able to still remain on top of the game.
A try from co-captain Adam Pratt – his second ever in senior rugby – helped seal the win. With new found momentum, the Lions look forward to playing Fawley II at home this week.
AJ Wells Man of the match: Tristan Price
Ventnor Haven Fishery Cod-eye of the Day: Joe Pettyfer
Team: Price, Pettyfer, Pratt, Richardson, Magnursson, Newman, Edwards, Gough, Harris, Kenny, Atkins, Blake, Urbonas, Ward, Chilton, Riches.
Image: Trek Track under CC BY 2.0
