After a long Christmas break, Ventnor were keen to get back out on the park but the unknown factor of the drop in fitness and form lead for an interesting encounter.
When the sides met earlier in the season it had been a convincing win for Ventnor, however it was clear from the off Fawley were not going to let this be a walkover. The first 10 mins saw a high penalty count from both sides and a fractured and uneventful game played out. It was the home team who scored first with a converted try. This served as the wake up call Ventnor needed and an extra gear engaged. The next few minutes were played out in Fawleys half with pressure mounting. Eventually the pressed tolled and Jake Babington slid in in the corner to get the away side on the scoresheet.
Halftime came and a chance for coach Damien Marriott to dictate the tactics for the second half. The introduction of Sam Pickard made an immediate effect. His first touch of the ball lead to a try under the posts with Fergus Kenny getting the conversion. Momentum had fully swung Ventnors way now and the squad fitness levels were overpowering Fawley. A Kenny penalty helped cement this position. A set backs move saw Justinas Urbonas ease in for an unconverted try. Then the icing on the cake came when Sam Lines dotted down for the bonus point try.
The win puts Ventnor securely in 2nd place 7 points ahead of Alresford.
Squad – Price, Jones, Gilbert, Pemberton, Morely, Magnursson, Gough, Riches, Berry, Kenny, Blake, Lines, Babington, Urbonas, Harris, Pratt, Pickard, Marriott
AJ Wells Man of the Match – Lewis Jones
Ventnor Haven Fishery Cod eye of the day – Dean Magnursson