Match report: Ventnor 2nd XV v Isle of Wight 2nd XV (19th December 2009)

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

Isle of Wight 2nd XV 18 – Ventnor 2nd XV 28

Both teams should be congratulated for deciding to play on a frost-rutted pitch and putting on a great show of attacking rugby. The Isle of Wight started strongly and things looked bad for Ventnor when the home side scored a converted try in the opening minutes. Immediately Ventnor’s traditional team spirit began to show through and captain Mike Flanagan set a great example by bursting up the field and passing to Dave Martin who put full back Warren Riches in for an unconverted try.

The sides then swapped several penalties with Riches kicking two before great work among the forwards put Ian Mudge in for a try for Ventnor – converted by Riches. Typical of a local derby, the game was warming up and Ventnor were putting pressure on the Isle of Wight’s line when emotions overflowed for a minute and the referee brandished a yellow card to one player from either side.

The teams reached the break with the Isle of Wight 13 – 18 down. Ventnor continued to gain ascendancy with Josh Franklin and Matt Taylor combining well in the line out and the experience of Nigel Malkin, Graham Simler and Martin McMeechan giving the pack real purpose and cohesion.

From a line out near the Island line, McMeechan took a fine take and set up a driving maul, the combative Alex Morton coming up with the try. Ventnor were now on top and the three quarters began to come into the game more with Dave Martin getting back into the old groove and Simon Farnworth putting in some determined bursts. However the best move of the match saw the ball move through several pairs of hands allowing Zack Davies to skin his marker and touch down to make the game safe for Ventnor.

The Isle of Wight never gave up however, and despite great defence from Lewis Morton, Shaun Williams and Jonathan Meadowcroft, the home side scored an unconverted try to complete the points for the day. The final minutes of the game featured a great cameo from substitute Tom Engelgardt who showed great energy and commitment on his return from basic training with the Army.

Zack ‘Goon’ Davies was the Wightlink Man of the Match for his all attack and defence whilst Martin McMeechan took the A J Wells Black Dog award for ‘seeing yellow’.

Team M Flanagan (capt), J Franklin, N Malkin, M Taylor, G Simler, A Morton, L Morton, M McMeechan, I Mudge, D Martin, S Williams, J Meadowcroft, S Farnworth, Z Davies, W Riches. Sub T Engelgardt