Thanks to Nolan for sending through the latest match report from Ventnor RFC. Ed
Ventnor 10 – 16 Locksheath
Locksheath were undefeated coming into this game with seven out of seven bonus point victories. They headed to Watcombe Bottom knowing this would be their hardest challenge of the season.
Ventnor knew only a huge performance leading to a win would satisfy them and the huge crowd that had gathered.
Ventnor’s match day squad had a few changes from the named squad. Second team captain Jacobus Stemmet coming in at prop to replace the Beast, Tristan Price. Rob Simpson took to the first team for his debut. Tommy Englegardt was at Pepper Pig World. Jake Babington was shopping in London. All this meant that Nolan Winter dusted off his boots for his second first team inclusion this year.
Intensity like no other game
Right from the off the game had intensity like no other played this year. A Damien Marriott penalty put the first points on the board. Followed by a great team effort that ended with captain Todd Riches putting the ball down under the posts. Locksheath tactically kept choosing to gain territory by kicking but the back three of Ross Harris, Ed Blake and Sam Lines caught them all and ran it right back at them.
Ventnor’s pack was hugely dominant and it was clear that the visitors would have no joy trying to compete. To their credit they showed off some super backs moves that had Ventnor guessing all day. The centre partnership of hard hitting James Pemberton and Paul Berry did exactly what their brief was and tackled anything that came near them.
The referee was blowing his whistle a lot, which angered both teams and after Ventnor had a clear Sam Pickard try disallowed the dissent grew. This eventually led to a penalty being awarded to Locksheath which they converted. The score was levelled soon after that when a mistake at a scrum led to a loose ball which was pounced upon and a couple of passes later a converted try was scored.
By now, the fire was well and truly alight in the hearts of the Ventnor players. Unfortunately this led to more dissent when dubious penalties were awarded. Locksheath were marched 10 metres forward and converted to make the half time score 10-13.
As ferocious as ever
The second half brought a change at half back with James Rogers coming on for Aaron Marriott.
Ventnor’s scrum was as ferocious as ever, with experience in the form of Danny Newbery and Jacobus Stemmet combined with the young power of Lewis Jones backed up by strength of James Morley and Neil Turner formed a unit that overwhelmed Locksheath. In the line outs, Tobias Penner was his usual dominant self, winning balls all day long.
Somehow despite all this, nothing would go Ventnor’s way. Even the sin binning of the very familiar looking opposition hooker didn’t yield any points. This again took its toll on the morale and a penalty was scored at the 70 minute point by Locksheath to make the score 10-16.
Crashing runs from Rob Simpson on at prop and Nolan Winter on for Tobias Penner gave some new energy to proceedings. As the sun set though, shadows were cast over Ventnor’s hopes of winning.
The final whistle
In the dying seconds the stage was set for a glorious winning try as Ventnor had a line out on the oppositions 22. After a success catch and the trademark pop to Danny Newbery, Lewis Jones crashed it forward only then to be penalised for not releasing despite reality. The final whistle brought the whole sorry affair to a close.
Post-game festivities were great as Bar Manager AP Jnr had a busy day keeping everyone well-hydrated and it was great to see both teams having a laugh. A good day to be a neutral, one thinks.
Ventnor look forward to rectifying the situation when they head to Locksheath in the spring.
Match sponsors: Bonchurch Garage, The Spyglass Inn, Dunnose Magna, The Met, The Royal Hotel and Castlehaven Caravan Park.
Wightlink Man Of The Match: Jacobus Stemmet
AJ Wells Black Dog: Rob Simpson
Squad: D. Newbury, L. Jones, J. Stemmet, N. Turner, J. Morley, T. Penner, S. Pickard, T. Riches, A. Marriott, D. Marriott, J. Pemberton, P. Berry, E. Blake, R. Harris, S. Lines SUBS J. Rogers, R. Simpson, N. Winter
Image: Trek Track under CC BY 2.0
