Ventnor 1st XV 32-25 Fawley 1st XV
Ventnor kept their home record intact with a hard fought battle against a physical Fawley side. The home side did not get off to the best start with letting the visitors get an early 5 points with an error made by Jake Babington allowing their winger to score in the corner. Babington soon made up for it and was causing chaos on his wing making strong runs on his wing snaking past several Fawley players on a number of times before having to offload to Todd Riches to even up the score and then again to Mark Turner to score with Damien Marriott converting both to take them further into the lead.
The home side’s forwards were driving forward with Riches and Turner working off each other and making big carries along with Andy Gilbert smashing holes in the defence. Tobias Penner and Lewis Jones were putting in strong tackles keeping the visitors at bay but only for so long before they got their second try with one of their forwards crashing over. Jones soon retaliated when a Moses ball came to him and touched down by running through a massive gap left by the Fawley defence again Marriott converting and went into the break with the lead.
The beginning of the second half saw Ventnor start strong with the captain Danny Newberry taking a quick penalty running through the visitors defence and crashing over the line to put Ventnor further ahead. This was the last try Ventnor would score and were having to defend for the remainder of the second half which saw Fawley score 3 more try’s none of which were converted. Marriott’s kicking was the difference and what got Ventnor the victory by converting all but one try and also kicking 2 penalties.
Thank you to Match Sponsors Alan Skeats, Ventnor Rotary Club, Mike Buttle, TF Property Solutions
Match Report Jake Babington
Wight Link Man Of The Match: Tobias Penner
A.J. Wells Black Dog Award: Ryan Cooper, Jake Babington, Nolan Winter, Scott Jesney
Team: Dan Newberry, Scott Jesney, Andy Gilbert, Damien Marriott, Ross Harris, Jake Babington, Lewis Jones, Ryan Cooper, Tobias Penner, Nathan Ricketts,Todd Riches, Mark Turner, Aaron Marriott, Tom Engelgardt, Gavin Davies, Chris Dobass, Warren Riches
Southampton 2nd XV HWO Ventnor 2nd XV
Ventnor 2nd XV were let down once again when their opposition cried off during the week, presenting them with a Home Walk Over and 4 points.