Thanks to Nolan for this latest report from Ventnor RFC. Ed
Fawley 34 – 14 Ventnor 1st XV
Ventnor travelled with only a bare 15 players to a team who sat one place below them in the league.
Despite this, Ventnor were keen for an upset and kicked off to immediately have a run at the try line. Unfortunately the referee deemed flanker Harrison Marsh to be holding on to the ball. Fawley took a kick off the scrum and camped in Ventnor’s 22. This resulted in a penalty in front of the posts for Fawley which looked certain to be converted, but it got the post and Ventnor drilled it back into the other half.
Strong runs from Gavin Davis and James Morley hammered the defence of the opposition. Jake Babington was forced from the pitch with a nasty back injury which meant manager Nigel Malkin had to put some boots on and came into the pack. Paul Berry moved into outside centre. After this the start of a Fawley onslaught came which saw them through to the half with a winning margin of 29 – 0.
Second half
In the break, Ventnor had a chance to regroup and riled up, they started the second half well and got a penalty which Fergus Kenny tapped and run at the line to pop to Berry who touched down to get Ventnor’s first points. Damien Marriott converted.
This marked the start of Ventnor’s domination. All game they stopped Fawley’s main attack option which was their driving maul. Many a penalty was won off this. After sustained pressure in Fawley’s 22, Ventnor scored a try through Danny Newbery. In the aftermath, Fawley had a player sin binned for cynical behaviour.
Lewis Jones was making some superb tackles and with the fire power of Adam Pratt running off the break down with Andy Gilbert in support, Ventnor were marching up the pitch.
Broken passages of play
Fawley then broke the momentum Ventnor were building with another try. After this the game saw itself out in broken passages of play as Fawley were living up to their reputation of fighting and cynical play. Which the referee was blind to in many circumstances.
Overall Ventnor were disappointed that they didn’t get something out of the game that they probably deserved.
Wightlink Man of the Match: Harrison Marsh for being a thorn in the side of Fawley at every occasion
AJ Wells Black Dog Award: Jake Babington
Team: Gilbert, Newbery, Pratt, Jesney, Morley, Marsh, Jones, Berry, Kenny, Marriott, Blake, Davis, Babington, Clarke, Harris
Manager/Player/Commentator: Nigel Malkin
Image: sjbresnahan under CC BY 2.0
