Match report: Ventnor 2nd XV v Andover 4th XV (20th February 2010)

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

Andover 4th XV 5 – Ventnor 2nd XV 24

Ventnor sent a strong 2nd XV for this Merit Table clash with Andover, who were themselves boosted by senior players. After withstanding early pressure, Ventnor started to get their driving game going and after great work from Duncan Kenny and Chris Dobbas, hooker Shaun Williams dived over for a try which he converted himself.

However Andover came straight back demonstrated their forward power as they drove over from a lineout. This set-back seemed to galvanise Ventnor and they finished the half with some of the best rugby played all season with Tristan Price, James Morley, Adam Pratt and Gary Ball taking the ball forward and off-loading in great style to set up Simon Farnworth for a well taken try.

Thus half-time came with the visitors leading 12 – 5. After the break, the game lapsed into a undistinguished phase until scrum half Ben Silk started to get his backline going again with Alan Bridges sending out sweet passes to put centres Dobbas and Sam Pickard into space. With the tempo of the game rising,

Ventnor kept the ball in hand and attacked from all over the pitch leading to a magnificent try by Damien Marriott coming into the line from fullback. This was immediately followed by another from winger Ross Harris who scorched down the left wing, transfixed his opposite number, and blasted over.

To the surprise of all, second row Morley slotted the conversion. Ventnor’s character was then tested as Andover – boosted by several substitutes whilst Ventnor were carrying several walking wounded – put serious pressure on their line. But some great defence – from Rob Jackson, Nolan Winter and Williams in particular – kept them out and the final whistle blew with Ventnor back on top.

The Wightlink man of the match award went to Shaun Williams for his all-action game while Duncan Kenny took the A J Wells Black Dog Award.

Team: A.Pratt, S.Williams, T.Price, R.Jackson, J.Morley, N.Winter, D.Kenny, G.Ball, B.Silk, A.Bridges, S.Farnworth, C.Dobbas, S.Pickard, R.Harris, D.Marriott (capt).