Ventnor 1st XV 68 – 6 Kingsclere

By GH

After a week off Ventnor 1st XV needed to build some momentum before they host fellow promotion hopefuls Overton next week.

The windy conditions gave the game an added dimension that both teams had to adapt to with kicks and passes going wayward.

The first couple of tries didn’t come easily with Kingsclere hoping to get something from the game. Captain Todd Riches and Jake Babington tries gave Ventnor a 14-0 lead, but Kingsclere then had 4 attempts at penalties of which the slotted 2. After that wake up call Ventnor upped their game and put a lot of pressure on the Kingsclere try line.

Eventually the floss gates opened and tries rained in. Five – yes five! – tries scored by Andy Gough, followed but tries from Sam Lines, Ross Harris and Joe Pettyfer sealed the bonus point win.

Squad – Dawson, Pettyfer, Gilbert, Richardson, Morley, Newman, Gough, Riches, Wilkinson, Kenny, Blake, Lines, Babington, Urbonas, Harris. Subs – Marriott, Jones, Simpson.

Thank you to match sponsors Perks of Ventnor, Ron Gisborn, Mike Buttle, Bill Gee, John Whitehouse and Bonchurch Garage

AJ Wells Man of the Match – Andy Gough

Ventnor Haven Fishery Cod eye of the Day – Aaron Newman