Thanks to Nolan for this last report of 2014 from the Ventnor RFC. Ed
Andover 3rds 29 – 20 Ventnor 2nds
With no first team game this week, it was a chance for the seconds to steal the headlines on Saturday.
A good-sized team travelled away with 20 players, all with varying expertise. Confidence was high and a great mood all day, despite the fact someone had brought a bottle of Shiraz, rather than the traditional Port.
10-0 up in the first five minutes
A brilliant start from Ventnor saw them 10-0 up in the first five minutes with outside centre Jake Babington getting the first try breaking away after some decent passing.
Scrum half Sam Lines scored when during an Andover attack on the five metre line broke down and a loose ball was kicked forward, recovered then sprinted almost the whole length of the pitch.
Complacent playing
This unfortunately lead to a little bit of complacency and missed tackles soon lead to Andover scoring three tries in quick succession. A pep talk from Captain Jacobus Stemmet was needed. Tim Ross, Dane Dovale, and the returning Josh “Goose” Franklin came on for injured players.
Towards the end of the first half, a better performance saw hard hitting and good moves. Play soon rewarded with a Tommy Engelgardt try. A good pick and go saw him breeze by defenders. This made the half time score 15 – 19 in favour of the home team.
Swinging away from Ventnor
Another returning player, Sam Beckley – better known as “Northern” – came on at second row for second half. Andover also didn’t have a first team game on this week and some rather talented players made their way on to the pitch for the second half. From the start of the second half it was clear that the momentum of the game was starting to swing away from Ventnor.
Monster tackles from Rob Simpson started to take their toll. He was forced off with a blood injury at the 50 minute mark. He was replaced by Ed Blake who came in at unfamiliar eight.
Two minutes later he was on the score sheet after a blistering run from inside centre Ryan Cooper took play from Ventnor’s 22 all the way to the five metre line for Blake, then to pick the ball at the back of the ruck and crash it over. This gave Ventnor an extremely slender lead of just one point.
Time and luck ran out
The game held steady for some time and at points it looked like Ventnor were going to hold out for the win.
With yet more players coming on for Andover a revitalised back line eventually did score another converted try meaning Ventnor had two minutes left to get a converted try.
Unfortunately time and luck ran out as the final act was the converting of a penalty making the final score 29-20 to Andover.
Only two penalties conceded
Heads were held high though, as a fantastic performance more than matched the rivals, with both teams scoring four tries it was only kicked points that made the difference. All game Ventnor only conceded two penalties something to be very proud of.
Man of the Match – Tobias Penner, who is leaving for eight months to go travelling.
A.J Wells Black Dog Award – Tommy Engelgardt for multiple reasons. He turned up with the world’s most questionable hair, he gave away a penalty, he stole the Chairman Rev. Woz Riches fancy dress outfit, and he dismantled all shavers to thwart any hair cut plans.
A swear jar was run all day raising money for PATCH ahead of the Boxing Day Swim.
Team – Stemmet, Savill, Pratt, J.Blake, Winter, Simpson, Engelgardt, Penner, Lines, Bridges, Adkins, Cooper, Babington, Bolton, Cripps.
Subs – Ross, Dovale, Beckley, E.Blake, Riches, Rogers.
Image: Trek Track under CC BY 2.0
