Match report: Ventnor 1st XV v Chineham (7th November 2009)

Posted by James on March 12, 2010 · Leave a Comment

7^th November 2009

Chineham 23 – Ventnor RFC 20

This was a frustrating day for Ventnor when their superiority on the field was not enough to defeat a determined Chineham side. Damien Marriott opened the scoring for Ventnor with a well taken penalty but Chineham struck back with a penalty and a converted try.

Marriott then struck another penalty so that the game reached half time with the home team leading 10 – 6. Some tactical changes with Nigel Malkin and Dan Lashley coming on gave Ventnor more impetus and some great play by Fergus Kenny and Ben Lush laid on a try for the all-action Jim Pemberton which Marriott converted. Ventnor were now on top in most phases of play – not least in the scrums where Scott Jesney, Franklin and Malkin were dominating their opposition front row.

However Chineham were scrambling well and they crossed for a try of their own to retake the lead. Ventnor went straight back up field with Todd Riches and Ross Harris leading the charge but some muddled thinking led to some wasted opportunities which culminated in Chineham hacking down field and being awarded a try. Ventnor again came back with the excellent Oly Fulljames touching down and Marriott converting to tie the scores at 20 – 20.

However it wasn’t to be Ventnor’s day – with Chineham kicking a late penalty to retake the lead. Ventnor never gave up and the final whistle went with young Sam Lines – on an exceptional debut for Ventnor – going close in the far corner.

Team: S.Jesney, J.Franklin, A.Pratt, L.Vanassche, J.Morley, R.Jackson, J.Pemberton, T.Riches, F.Kenny, D.Marriott, B.Lush, C.Dobbas, O.Fulljames, S.Lines, R.Harris Subs N.Malkin, D.Lashley, E.Bodros