Locksheath Pumas 10-5 Ventnor 1st XV
Ventnor were away to Locksheath Pumas this week and again were a victim to their own downfall. For the second time this season having to travel in their kit ready to play and with little warm up and without their regular captain, Todd Riches took charge to face a strong home team.
The majority of the game saw Ventnor defending and doing it well putting in hard tackles and keeping Locksheath at bay as they continually attacked the Ventnor line but the visitors wouldn’t allow them to score. When Ventnor had the ball the half back pairing of Aaron and Damien Marriott controlled the game calling the moves and both kicking the visitors out of danger. With Adam Pratt struggling Ben Savill came on to replace him as prop and started to cause the Pumas problems in the scrum driving them off the ball. Ventnor also were winning the line outs with Tobias Penner winning it almost every time in the air with good ball coming from Lewis Jones. The first half also saw both sides missing penalty opportunities and ended 0-0 at the break.
The second half saw stronger play from Ventnor and more attacking play with the pack driving it forward. With a number of penalties been given away from both sides Locksheath took the lead with a penalty kick and then not long after scoring a try when Ventnor fell apart at the back with bad decisions made and not clearing their lines allowing them to capitalise by scoring and converting their try. Not long after the home side were to have a man sin binned for handling the ball whilst in a ruck and then forced to go to un contested scrums due to having no replacement forwards after an injury to their prop. Ventnor made hard work of scoring their try even with having the extra man but Fergus Kenny managed to crash over for Ventnor’s only try of the game. Locksheath were still coming at Ventnor hard and good covering play from Ross Harris kept the score at 10-5 making it a hard task for Ventnor who are pushing for promotion next season.
Wight Link Man Of The Match: Ben Savill
A.J.Wells Black Dog Award: Tom Engelgardt
Team: Adam Pratt, Scott Jesney, Lewis Jones, Ben savill, Silas Greggory, Tobias Penner, James Pemberton, Ed Blake, James Morley, Todd Riches, Ryan Cooper, Aaron Marriott, Damien Marriott, Chris Dobass, Fergus Kenny, Jake Babington, Tom Engelgardt, Ross Harris
Ventnor 2nd XV where not in action with their proposed game against Portsmouth being rearranged for a date in March.