Match report: Ventnor 2nd XV v Isle of Wight 2nd XV (13th February 2010)

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

Ventnor 2nd XV 30 – Isle of Wight 2nd XV 10

In a hastily rearranged game due to the late cancellation by Chineham 2nds, Ventnor 2nds produced a superb victory against the Isle of Wight 2nds. Led by the garrulous Nigel Malkin, Ventnor matched a highly competitive IoW side and both teams made chances until the immaculate Warren Riches slotted a couple of penalties to calm the home team nerves.

The tackling was pretty uncompromising and late in the first half the referee produced a yellow card to the IoW No 8 and Ventnor took the opportunity to increase their lead with a thrusting try by Gary Freeston before halftime.

After the break Ventnor upped their game and Zack Davies dived over after terrific approach work by Shaun Williams and substitute Graham Simler. Then Williams went over himself after the whole team took play through several phases before Freeston finished the scoring for Ventnor with his second try. Riches converted two of these second half tries.

The Isle of Wight scored two tries of their own in the last ten minutes through Gary Warvill and Gav Bodrell but only after Ventnor had eased off their scrummaging effort.

When it came to awarding the Wightlink man of the match award, skipper Malkin had a real dilemma. Second rows Simon Farnworth and Jonathan Meadowcroft – although new to the position – showed well in attack and were magnificent in defence.

The back row of Freeston, Aaran Fradgley and Rob Jackson worked themselves to a standstill whilst Ian Mudge and Alan Bridges showed all their experience and poise at halfback.

The talent of the threequarters was exemplified by the attacking thrust of Ross Harris and the dogged defence of Edwin Bodros whilst wingers Davies and Eric Gurney – in his first game for Ventnor – never missed an opportunity to make a nuisance of themselves. Meanwhile Warren Riches at fullback was immaculate under the high ball all afternoon.

In the end the award went to Ian Collins at prop whose power at scrum time swung the balance in Ventnor’s favour and whose work in the loose with his fellow front row players – Williams and Malkin himself – put pressure on the opposition in every phase of play. The A J Wells Black Dog Award went to Nigel Malkin for a full eighty minutes of ceaseless conversation with the referee! The game was generously sponsored by Ventnor RFC stalwart Mike Buttle.

Team I.Collins, S.Williams, N.Malkin (capt), J.Meadowcroft, S.Farnworth, A.Fradgeley, G.Freeston, R.Jackson. I.Mudge, A.Bridges, R.Harris, E.Bodros, Z.Davies, E.Gurney, W.Riches. Substitute, G.Simler