Match Report: Ventnor 1st XV v Stoneham

Ventnor RFC 87 – Stoneham 0

This Hampshire Division 2 match, sponsored by Paddingtons of Ventnor, provided ample proof of Ventnor’s progress this season, endorsed by another excellent crowd at Watcombe Bottom. Right from the kick off the Ventnor took the game to the visitors with Jim Pemberton, Ady Entwistle and Rob Newton driving the ball into contact at speed and providing a target for the pack. Halfbacks Michael Cooper and Fergus Kenny then began releasing the backs and the scores kept coming with, significantly, everyone from 10 to 15 getting their name on the score sheet. In addition Mike Walker (and his replacement Tristan Price), Scott Jesney and Adam Pratt were out-powering the opposition front row resulting in many strikes against the head and a constant stream of possession. And even the lineout – a traditional Ventnor weakness – was beginning to flourish with Todd Riches particularly effective. Try scorers were Ben Cooper (2), Chris Dobbas, James Morley, Ross Harris, Todd Riches (2), Ben Lush (3) and Damien Marriott (2). Replacement Tom Engelgardt was unlucky not to add his name to this list when the referee decided not to play advantage when he escaped a high tackle on his way to the line. The pick of the tries was Marriott’s second effort which involved a dummy or two plus a sumptuous change of direction before the touch down beneath the posts. There were many candidates for the Wightlink Man of the Match which eventually went to Marriott both for his tries and his kicking – in all he converted eleven of the tries, many of them from far out. The A J Wells Black Dog Award went to Mike Walker although a strong case was presented by Entwistle for his crabbing run that put away Ben Cooper for his first try.

Team: M.Walker, S.Jesney, A.Pratt, J.Morley, A Entwistle, R.Newton, J.Pemberton, T.Riches (capt), M.Cooper, B.Cooper, F. Kenny, C.Dobbas, B.Lush, R.Harris, D.Marriott Subs: T.Price, S.Williams, T.Engelgardt

For the second week running Ventnor’s 2^nd XV game was cancelled when the opposition, Aldershot and Fleet (for the second season running), called off late in the week.

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