Stuart gives us the latest update from Ventnor RFC. Ed
64 Romsey v Ventnor 7
Last weekend was Ventnor’s last game of the season, away to unbeaten Romsey who like Ventnor had promotion already in the bag and one eye on the title, large crowds gathered for the highly anticipated game of the season with both teams top of attacking and defending charts in beautiful sunshine, everything was set for a classic for the ‘winner takes all’ game.
Ventnor needed to win the game with a bonus point, and shutting Romsey out by seven points to stand any chance of winning the title. With all this in mind, Ventnor got off to the worst start possible straight from the kick off.
Twenty seconds into the game Romsey had scored their first try. Uphill battle continued for Ventnor, as the resulting kick-off went horribly wrong and them scoring again in quick succession.
Ventnor, shell shocked, had a chance to get back into the game when Ventnor Fish Haven Cod Eye of the Day, Damien Marriott, saw an opportunity to take a quick penalty for a guaranteed try, only to forget he needed to catch the quick tap five metres away from the try line was Ventnor’s one and only chance in the first half. Unfortunately for Ventnor, flood gates opened with Romsey showing their class as to why they’re top of the league unbeaten. Half time score 34-0.
Lady Luck on Romsey’s side
The second half didn’t get much better. Lady Luck was clearly on Romsey’s side. No matter what Ventnor threw at them, they held firm, whatever they touched turned to gold.
A number of mistakes led to Ventnor’s biggest defeat of the season, on their biggest game of the year, but it could have been so much worse if it wasn’t for AJ Wells Man of the Match, Lewis Jones literally putting his body on the line for the club with a number of try saving tackles.
Ventnor did manage to get on the scoresheet late on with Ed Blake, with his ninth of the season, and Fergus Kenny kicking the extra points final score Romsey 64 Ventnor 7.
After the game coach Damien Marriott said,
“I would like to congratulate Romsey winning the league and the way they went about it was a fantastic achievement considering everything they have been through in the last few months. Goes to show how strong mentally these guys are.
“It was mixed emotions at the final whistle nobody likes getting beaten like this, but knowing you’re still going up after all the hard work the lads put themselves through, this season definitely made up for it. However, first training session back in pre-season won’t be pleasant.”
Team: Andy Gilbert(Cap) Lewis Jones, Sam Dawson, Sam Pickard, James Morley, Dean Magnurson, Aaron Newham, Andy Gough, Damien Marriott, Fergus Kenny, Ed Blake, Sam Lines, Jake Babington, Justinas Urbonas, Ross Harris
Replacements: Tristan Price, Grant Richardson, Todd Riches
51 Romsey 2 XV v Ventnor 2XV 0
With the first team having to steal a couple of players, a nasty bug and old age hitting the seconds, they travelled light to a Romsey team who looked like they had just left the gym ready to play, something that couldn’t be levelled at the Ventnor ten!
There really isn’t much more to add other than “we came, we saw they conquered!” big thanks to AP for sticking with the task of second XV skipper this season, one in which has seen many two XV players make the transition into the first XV which in turn has left the twos light.
Team: Rob Simpson, Tommy Engelgardt, Nolan Winter, Adam Pratt (Cap), Woz Riches, David Atkins, Rob Ward, Ben Savill, James Blake, Waz Fresle (he took his kit!)
