With typical contrariness, Ventnor 1sts saved their best performance for the last game of the season with a comprehensive victory over an excellent Portsmouth 2nd XV. Following on from an overwhelming win by Ventnor 2nds in the early kick-off, the home side were under notice to turn it on and they responded magnificently with a performance based on power, fitness, teamwork and skill in which every member of the squad had a say in the final outcome which will keep the club’s spirits up as they enter the offseason. This was also the last game for Lewis ‘Jewy’ Jones as captain – a position which he held for the last five seasons – and there was no doubt that his team were determined to reward his commitment to the cause with a game to remember.
Ventnor started strongly with a powerful series of drives from the Ventnor pack with Ben Savill and Guy Entwistle to the fore. The quick-fire Emile Bleriot got the ball away to Fergus Kenny who brought Ben Cooper and Sam Lines into play for Jake Babington to fly in the corner.
With the scrum and line-out working well, the Islanders were able to keep up the pressure and a sublime kick-ahead by Lines and a follow up by Fred Fairman caused chaos in the Portsmouth defence. Ventnor’s forwards arrived en masse and Guy Entwistle powered over. Ed Blake converted and the lead was extended to twelve points.
Portsmouth came back after a penalty resulting in the home team putting themselves into peril by trying to run from under their own posts. The ball was turned over and the visitors scored a converted try to bring the score back to 12 – 7 to set the nerves jangling among the packed crowd.
However Ventnor were soon back on it with Jones leading from the front and Bleriot and Kenny pulling the strings. A lineout close to the visitors’ line resulted in a loose ball being picked up by a Portsmouth player but the rapier-like Joe Coghlan put in a massive hit which broke the ball loose so that Andy Teague was able to drop on it to score. 17 – 7
Just before half-time, Ventnor were able to put some welcome distance to the scoreline after Lines repeated his kick ahead and Fairman did brilliantly to get to the bounce first. He was held just short of the line but Ventnor won the ensuing scrum for Entwistle to work a position for the powerful Grant Richardson to drive over. 22 – 7
The second half kicked off with Richardson and Ben Cooper replaced by George Collett and Ryan Cooper. This was Collett’s first game back after his shoulder injury but he was straight back to the coal face in the front row and demonstrating his ability to link up with his marauding pack. The game began to get a touch abrasive and Entwistle and a Portsmouth player received yellow cards. The visitors were then penalised on their own twenty-two and Jones wisely decided to take the sting out of the game and Bleriot slotted the penalty to extend the lead. With Portsmouth’s will beginning to fade, Ventnor turned on the style with two cracking tries. Fairman was the scorer of the first after some superb work by Lines, Ben Cooper, Jones, Coltham and Lewy Morton. It was no less than Fairman deserved after an excellent showing. The second was scored by Coltham – his first for the club – after James Green (on for Entwistle), Ryan Cooper and the ubiquitous Morton had made inroads through the Portsmouth defence. Bleriot slotted the conversion as the referee blew for full time to signal a chance for the team to thank Jewy Jones for his leadership throughout a period of transition for Ventnor. With both teams racking up convincing wins, there is much optimism as the club goes into their summer touch sessions.
Team: Richardson, Jones (capt), Savill, Teague, Coltham, Coghlan, L.Morton, Entwistle, Bleriot, F.Kenny, E.Blake, B.Cooper, Lines, Fairman, Babington
Subs: Collett, Green, R.Cooper, Fox
The A.J.Wells Man of the Match: Emile Bleriot
The Red Funnel Moment of the Match: Jake Babington
Coaches: Jason Evans and Clive Cardwell-Hill
Physio: Sarah Watt
Thanks to the Andy Mullins, Joss Bleriot and the Isle of Wight Observer for the photos
Ventnor RFC would like to thank our match sponsors, namely: Barry Pike, Tom Smith of Broadfields Park in Merstone, Keith Fradgley, Mike Buttle, Ron Hunt, Jennifer Hinton & Terry O’Bryan, The Chequers Inn, Warren Fresle and Ventnor Rotary Club.
Match Report by James Morton
For more information, please contact JAMES MORTON
Ventnor RFC T: 07901 938 317 E: james@ventnorrfc.com
