Match report: Ventnor 2nd XV v Fawley 2nd XV (5th December 2009)
Ventnor 2nd XV 17 – Fawley 2nd XV 5
After a four week gap, Ventnor 2nds got back on the Merit Table campaign with a good home win against a determined Fawley side – despite the fact that the Ventnor side was scattered with faces that adorn old sepia photographs in their Watcombe clubhouse.
Ventnor were on top in the first half playing some attractive rugby and dominating the set plays with props Ian Collins and Ian ‘County’ Payn supreme. This edge gave scrumhalf Ian Mudge a great platform and, after good work by John Owen and Gary Freeston, he touched down for Ventnor’s first try which captain Warren Riches converted.
Ventnor were playing some great rugby at this point although Fawley’s excellent midfield defence was blunting the good work of Jonathan Meadowcroft. Edwin Bodros and Warren Fresle in the three quarters. With Nigel Malkin running the moves from a number of positions, Ventnor began playing the game close to the scrum and Gary Freeston scored a try after powerful drives from Payn and the evergreen Graham Simler – the outstanding partner of a second row boasting a combined age of 103! Again Riches converted.
After halftime, Ventnor’s dominance began to fade – especially when Freeston had to leave the pitch with a knee injury. Despite a steadying penalty from the immaculate Riches, Fawley began to come back into the game and scored an unconverted try.
Thus Ventnor had to dig in to survive and were grateful for the defensive work of Lewy Morton, Rob Jackson and Sean Williams as well as the tactical kicking of Riches. The final whistle blew on a great home win for Ventnor which had looked so unlikely when the team gathered together before the match.
Lewy Morton was the Wightlink Man of the Match for his all round play whilst James Morton took the A J Wells Black Dog award for a game-long master-class in ball avoidance.
Team I Collins, S Williams, I Payn, J Morton, G Simler, J Owen, L Morton, G Freeston, I Mudge, N Malkin, E Bodros, J Meadowcroft, W Fresle, R Jackson, W Riches (capt)
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