Nolan shares this latest report from Ventnor RFC. Ed
Ventnor 1st XV 17-31 Isle of Wight 1st XV
The game was preceded with a lunch with over 40 committee members, sponsors, vice presidents and ex-players from both Ventnor and the Isle of Wight gathered to celebrate all things rugby.
Hosted by Ventnor President Tony Flower it was fantastic to see different generations from both teams sharing lunch, wine and a few stories.
IW on the front foot
The first half started with the Isle of Wight on the front foot from the off, scoring a converted try within the first few minutes. This was followed up with a penalty after Ventnor were penalised at a ruck, taking the Isle of Wight into a 10-0 lead.
This was soon followed by another converted Isle of Wight try, before Sam Lines used his pace and side step to run from inside his own half to register Ventnor’s first points of the day. Player /Coach Damien Marriott was unable to convert due to the tight angle with the score 17-5 in favour of the Isle of Wight.
With Ventnor pushing for more territory and further points to get back in the game, the Isle of Wight broke away to score their third converted try. However, Ventnor responded again this time through Captain Todd Riches for another unconverted Ventnor try, leaving Ventnor trailing 24-10. With half time looming there was time for the Isle of Wight to score one more converted try, which was to be their last score of the day as they went into half time with a 31-10 lead.
Injury for Blake
The second half started as badly as the first half for Ventnor when Ed Blake received a nasty leg injury. The game was halted for a long period time while Blake received medical attention from the ambulance crew.
The long break and the severity of the injury took some of the sting out of the game with the only score of the half coming from Ventnor through a Paul Berry try which was converted by Marriott.
AJ Wells & Sons Man of the Match Todd Riches
Ventnor Haven Fishery Cod Eye of the Day Lewis Jones
Squad: Price, Tucker, Pratt, Morely, Pickard, Magnurson, Jones, Riches, Marriott, Lines, Berry, Harris, Urbonas, Blake, Blow, Newman, Babington
Thanks to sponsors
Thank you to match sponsors Mike Buttle, Boabab Gardens, Ale & Oyster, Paul Woodford Building Contractor, Perks of Ventnor, Besozzi Life Changing Lasagne, Ayres Punchard, Island Food Services, Signpost Express and Ron Hunt.
Image: Trek Track under CC BY 2.0
