Match report: Ventnor 1st XV v Isle of Wight 1st XV

The match was played on a hot day and a rock hard pitch, but despite the testing conditions, this was a keenly contested and passionate local derby, sponsored by Yates Brewery.

Ventnor bossed the first half and the host’s hard work was rewarded with two outstanding tries. Some slick handling from Ventnor resulted in Fulljames and Rogers both crossing the line. In the interim, Marriot successfully kicked a penalty. Ventnor were 13 points without reply.

As half-time approached, the Isle of Wight put their first points on the board. Isle of Wight forward, Baldwin, capitalised on a mismatch and from the blind side he crashed over the line to score.

In the second half the visitors scored a penalty. Ventnor’s Ben Cooper then scored a well taken try in the corner, benefiting from some good handling from Riches.

With only ten minutes remaining, Ventnor seem assured of victory. But in a shock turn-around, the Isle of Wight, using the same ploy, successfully twice targeted the right hand corner to eventually emerge as victors in this closely fought encounter.

Ventnor . M.Walker, S.Jesney, T.Price, J.Morley, J.Pemberton, P.Berry, M.Turner, T.Riches, D.Marriot, F.Kenny, B.Lush, S.Rodgers, B.Cooper, M.Cooper, O.Fulljames. Subs. A.Pratt (on for M.Walker), A.Entwhistle (on for J.Morley)