With eight regular first team players missing, Ventnor thought they might drop valuable points in this fixture. The players drafted in were outstanding and with tries from Tom Engelgardt, Ross Harris (2), Gary Freeston, Sam Lines, Mike Walker and Jim Pemberton, this was truly a team effort.

The forwards were dominant winning scrums and driving the maul 20 metres at a time. Gary Ball, Gary Freeston and Jim Pemberton showed cohesion and aggression and were prepared to release the backs at the correct moment.

Locksheath competed well throughout but were mainly on the back foot which made progress difficult. The forward dominance of the Ventnor was demonstrated by the fact that two tries were scored by driving over the Locksheath line. In the backs a dodging run through the middle by Sam Lines with a great side-step released Ross Harris to score and in the second half a sweeping handling move, rounded off by Lines by a 20 metre run which had the opposition grasping at shadows. Fergus Kenny kicked three conversions.

The Wightlink man of the match was wing forward Gary Ball and the A J Wells Black Dog award was given to Ross Harris on his return to the first XV.

The match was generously sponsored by Angela Coaches of Bursledon, Southampton.

Team.

A.Pratt, D.Newbery, S.Jesney, M.Walker (capt.), M.Testa, G.Ball, J.Pemberton, G.Freeston, B.Silk, F.Kenny, B.Lush, W.Fresle, S.Lines, T.Engelgardt, R.Harris.

Subs: R.Jackson, S.Farnworth, J.G.Franklin.

Related posts:

1. Match report: Ventnor 1st XV v Locksheath Pumas (28th November 2009) Locksheath Pumas 10 – Ventnor RFC 23 This was a...
2. Match report: Ventnor 1st XV v Overton 1st XV (30th January 2010) Overton 13 – Ventnor 13 Ventnor had not played since...
3. Match Report: Ventnor 1st XV v Stoneham Ventnor RFC 87 – Stoneham 0 This Hampshire Division 2...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Ventnor 2nds – represented by many returning veterans – lost this match against Hurricanes Vets at the Fairway.

The Wightlink man of the match was full back Warren Riches (who kicked Ventnor’s penalty) and the A J Wells Black Dog award was awarded to skipper Stuart Babington for his efforts in the front row.

Team.

S.Babington (capt), M.Taylor, R.Engelgardt, N.Ricketts, G.Simler, S.Williams, N.Winter, S.Benfield, I.Mudge, A.Bridges, D.Martin, J.Babington, T.Wells, Z.Davies, W.Riches.

This match was filmed by Gamson Gray Films and is available on DVD:

http://www.gamsongrayfilms.co.uk/2010/03/08/rugby-dvd-sandown-shanklin-hurricanes-vets-xv-v-ventnor-rfc-vets-xv-friendly-06032010/

Related links:

Sandown and Shanklin Hurricanes RFC

Gamson Gray Films

Related posts:

1. Result: Sandown & Shanklin Hurricanes Vets XV v Ventnor RFC Vets XV Friendly 06/03/2010 Sandown & Shanklin Hurricanes Vets XV 27 – 3 Ventnor...
2. This weekend: Sat 6th March 2010 This Saturday (6th March), the 1st XV play Locksheath Pumas...
3. Match report: Ventnor 1st XV v Overton 1st XV (30th January 2010) Overton 13 – Ventnor 13 Ventnor had not played since...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Ventnor sent a strong 2nd XV for this Merit Table clash with Andover, who were themselves boosted by senior players. After withstanding early pressure, Ventnor started to get their driving game going and after great work from Duncan Kenny and Chris Dobbas, hooker Shaun Williams dived over for a try which he converted himself.

However Andover came straight back demonstrated their forward power as they drove over from a lineout. This set-back seemed to galvanise Ventnor and they finished the half with some of the best rugby played all season with Tristan Price, James Morley, Adam Pratt and Gary Ball taking the ball forward and off-loading in great style to set up Simon Farnworth for a well taken try.

Thus half-time came with the visitors leading 12 – 5. After the break, the game lapsed into a undistinguished phase until scrum half Ben Silk started to get his backline going again with Alan Bridges sending out sweet passes to put centres Dobbas and Sam Pickard into space. With the tempo of the game rising,

Ventnor kept the ball in hand and attacked from all over the pitch leading to a magnificent try by Damien Marriott coming into the line from fullback. This was immediately followed by another from winger Ross Harris who scorched down the left wing, transfixed his opposite number, and blasted over.

To the surprise of all, second row Morley slotted the conversion. Ventnor’s character was then tested as Andover – boosted by several substitutes whilst Ventnor were carrying several walking wounded – put serious pressure on their line. But some great defence – from Rob Jackson, Nolan Winter and Williams in particular – kept them out and the final whistle blew with Ventnor back on top.

The Wightlink man of the match award went to Shaun Williams for his all-action game while Duncan Kenny took the A J Wells Black Dog Award.

Team: A.Pratt, S.Williams, T.Price, R.Jackson, J.Morley, N.Winter, D.Kenny, G.Ball, B.Silk, A.Bridges, S.Farnworth, C.Dobbas, S.Pickard, R.Harris, D.Marriott (capt).

Related posts:

1. Match report: Ventnor 1st XV v Chineham 1st XV (13th February 2010) Ventnor RFC 1st XV 64 – Chineham RFC 1st XV...
2. Match report: Ventnor 1st XV v Overton 1st XV (30th January 2010) Overton 13 – Ventnor 13 Ventnor had not played since...
3. Match report: Ventnor 2nd XV v Isle of Wight 2nd XV (13th February 2010) Ventnor 2nd XV 30 – Isle of Wight 2nd XV...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

In a hastily rearranged game due to the late cancellation by Chineham 2nds, Ventnor 2nds produced a superb victory against the Isle of Wight 2nds. Led by the garrulous Nigel Malkin, Ventnor matched a highly competitive IoW side and both teams made chances until the immaculate Warren Riches slotted a couple of penalties to calm the home team nerves.

The tackling was pretty uncompromising and late in the first half the referee produced a yellow card to the IoW No 8 and Ventnor took the opportunity to increase their lead with a thrusting try by Gary Freeston before halftime.

After the break Ventnor upped their game and Zack Davies dived over after terrific approach work by Shaun Williams and substitute Graham Simler. Then Williams went over himself after the whole team took play through several phases before Freeston finished the scoring for Ventnor with his second try. Riches converted two of these second half tries.

The Isle of Wight scored two tries of their own in the last ten minutes through Gary Warvill and Gav Bodrell but only after Ventnor had eased off their scrummaging effort.

When it came to awarding the Wightlink man of the match award, skipper Malkin had a real dilemma. Second rows Simon Farnworth and Jonathan Meadowcroft – although new to the position – showed well in attack and were magnificent in defence.

The back row of Freeston, Aaran Fradgley and Rob Jackson worked themselves to a standstill whilst Ian Mudge and Alan Bridges showed all their experience and poise at halfback.

The talent of the threequarters was exemplified by the attacking thrust of Ross Harris and the dogged defence of Edwin Bodros whilst wingers Davies and Eric Gurney – in his first game for Ventnor – never missed an opportunity to make a nuisance of themselves. Meanwhile Warren Riches at fullback was immaculate under the high ball all afternoon.

In the end the award went to Ian Collins at prop whose power at scrum time swung the balance in Ventnor’s favour and whose work in the loose with his fellow front row players – Williams and Malkin himself – put pressure on the opposition in every phase of play. The A J Wells Black Dog Award went to Nigel Malkin for a full eighty minutes of ceaseless conversation with the referee! The game was generously sponsored by Ventnor RFC stalwart Mike Buttle.

Team I.Collins, S.Williams, N.Malkin (capt), J.Meadowcroft, S.Farnworth, A.Fradgeley, G.Freeston, R.Jackson. I.Mudge, A.Bridges, R.Harris, E.Bodros, Z.Davies, E.Gurney, W.Riches. Substitute, G.Simler

Related posts:

1. Match report: Ventnor 2nd XV v Isle of Wight 2nd XV (19th December 2009) Isle of Wight 2nd XV 18 – Ventnor 2nd XV...
2. Match report: Ventnor 2nd XV v Isle of Wight 2nd XV Match report: Ventnor 2nd XV 36 – Isle of Wight...
3. Match report: Ventnor 1st XV v Chineham 1st XV (13th February 2010) Ventnor RFC 1st XV 64 – Chineham RFC 1st XV...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Ventnor had not played since the beginning of January and showed some rustiness against forthright opponents in this Hampshire Division 2 match. Ventnor were under pressure in a very forward orientated game and Overton were in the lead late into the game with Ventnor’s only points coming from two penalties from Todd Riches. But with Ventnor’s backs showing more promise, in the very last move of the match, Sam Lines burst upfield in a fifty metre break and was only stopped by foul play by the opposition. Thinking calmly under pressure, Ventnor’s captain Mike Walker chose to take the scrum and the ball went down the line for Chris Dobbas to score. Needing the conversion to draw the game, Todd Riches slotted the kick to keep Ventnor’s promotion push very much alive.

Todd Riches was the Wightlink man of the match for yet another great performance whilst Olly Fulljames took the A J Wells Black Dog award.

Team: M.Walker (capt), S.Jesney, D.Newbery, S.Benfield, J.Morley, J.Pemberton, S.Pickard, T.Riches, F.Kenny, D.Marriott, B.Lush, C.Dobbas, S.Lines, O.Fulljames, W.Riches Subs G.Ball, A.Pratt

Related posts:

1. Match report: Ventnor 1st XV v Chineham 1st XV (13th February 2010) Ventnor RFC 1st XV 64 – Chineham RFC 1st XV...
2. Match Report – Ventnor 2nd XV v Overton 2nd XV 24th October 2009 Ventnor 2nd XV 38 – Overton 2nd...
3. Match report: Ventnor 1st XV v Fawley (5th December 2009) Ventnor 33 – Fawley 14 This rearranged fixture between Ventnor...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

This rearranged fixture between Ventnor and their close league rivals was closer than the scoreline suggested but the victory was all-important to Ventnor after their disappointing display against the Isle of Wight before Christmas. Damien Marriott settled Ventnor’s nerves with an early individual try but Fawley came straight back and took the lead with a converted try of their own.

Ventnor’s scrumhalf Fergus Kenny then showed great presence of mind with a quick tap penalty and a run in for a try which was converted by Todd Riches. However Fawley’s dominance of the lineout gave them a good stream of possession and they scored again before half time to take the lead 14 to 12.

After the break, Ventnor began to get their game together and Chris Dobbas scored a brace of tries with his direct running from centre – the second one from an interception from far out. Then Riches scored from the back of a lineout after a searing run from Tom Engelgardt put pressure on Fawley’s defence. All of these second half tries were converted by Marriott.

Jim Pemberton was the Wightlink man of the match for yet another great performance in both attack and defence. Tom Engelgardt took the A J Wells Black Dog award as he heads back to the Army to continue his basic training

Team: M.Walker (capt), S.Jesney, A.Pratt, L.Vanassche, J.Morley, G.Ball, J.Pemberton, T.Riches, F.Kenny, D.Marriott, B.Lush, C.Dobbas, S.Lines, T.Engelgardt, A.Adkins Subs R.Jackson, M.Testa, M.Cooper

Related posts:

1. Match report: Ventnor 2nd XV v Fawley 2nd XV (5th December 2009) Ventnor 2nd XV 17 – Fawley 2nd XV 5 After...
2. Match report: Ventnor 1st XV v Locksheath Pumas (28th November 2009) Locksheath Pumas 10 – Ventnor RFC 23 This was a...
3. Match report: Ventnor 1st XV v Chineham (7th November 2009) 7th November 2009 Chineham 23 – Ventnor RFC 20 This...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

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 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

Related posts:

1. Match report: Ventnor 2nd XV v Fawley 2nd XV (5th December 2009) Ventnor 2nd XV 17 – Fawley 2nd XV 5 After...
2. Match report: Ventnor 2nd XV v Isle of Wight 2nd XV Match report: Ventnor 2nd XV 36 – Isle of Wight...
3. Match report: Ventnor 1st XV v Fawley (5th December 2009) Ventnor 33 – Fawley 14 This rearranged fixture between Ventnor...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

After a four week gap, Ventnor 2nds got back on the Merit Table campaign with a good home win against a determined Fawley side – despite the fact that the Ventnor side was scattered with faces that adorn old sepia photographs in their Watcombe clubhouse.

Ventnor were on top in the first half playing some attractive rugby and dominating the set plays with props Ian Collins and Ian ‘County’ Payn supreme. This edge gave scrumhalf Ian Mudge a great platform and, after good work by John Owen and Gary Freeston, he touched down for Ventnor’s first try which captain Warren Riches converted.

Ventnor were playing some great rugby at this point although Fawley’s excellent midfield defence was blunting the good work of Jonathan Meadowcroft. Edwin Bodros and Warren Fresle in the three quarters. With Nigel Malkin running the moves from a number of positions, Ventnor began playing the game close to the scrum and Gary Freeston scored a try after powerful drives from Payn and the evergreen Graham Simler – the outstanding partner of a second row boasting a combined age of 103! Again Riches converted.

After halftime, Ventnor’s dominance began to fade – especially when Freeston had to leave the pitch with a knee injury. Despite a steadying penalty from the immaculate Riches, Fawley began to come back into the game and scored an unconverted try.

Thus Ventnor had to dig in to survive and were grateful for the defensive work of Lewy Morton, Rob Jackson and Sean Williams as well as the tactical kicking of Riches. The final whistle blew on a great home win for Ventnor which had looked so unlikely when the team gathered together before the match.

Lewy Morton was the Wightlink Man of the Match for his all round play whilst James Morton took the A J Wells Black Dog award for a game-long master-class in ball avoidance.

Team I Collins, S Williams, I Payn, J Morton, G Simler, J Owen, L Morton, G Freeston, I Mudge, N Malkin, E Bodros, J Meadowcroft, W Fresle, R Jackson, W Riches (capt)

Related posts:

1. Match report: Ventnor 1st XV v Fawley (5th December 2009) Ventnor 33 – Fawley 14 This rearranged fixture between Ventnor...
2. Match report: Ventnor 2nd XV v Isle of Wight 2nd XV (19th December 2009) Isle of Wight 2nd XV 18 – Ventnor 2nd XV...
3. Match report: Ventnor 2nd XV v Isle of Wight 2nd XV (13th February 2010) Ventnor 2nd XV 30 – Isle of Wight 2nd XV...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

This was a hugely important victory for Ventnor in their promotion campaign and was won through a game-long intensity by the entire fifteen – something that was lacking a couple of weeks ago at Chineham. Locksheath fielded their usual uncompromising pack but Ventnor matched them at every phase – especially at the set scrum where prop Tristan Price and second rows James Morley and Louis Vanassche were outstanding. Despite this Damien Marriott at scrum half was not given an easy ride since his opposite number played the referee’s interpretation of the offside law to its limits which broke the flow of Ventnor’s game. Indeed the whole game was stop-start with little phase play but loads of whistle and lectures.

Locksheath opened the scoring with a penalty. Marriott then kicked Ventnor level before breaking away from the base of the scrum and linking with the outstanding Sam Lines who scored under the posts for a converted try. Marriott then slotted his second penalty when Lines was impeded kicking ahead and Ventnor went into half time 13 – 3 up. After the break Ventnor extended their lead with another penalty from Marriott and a try by Ben Lush, cutting back against the defensive drift after a great break from Todd Riches supported by Marriott. Things looked pretty secure for Ventnor but they conceded a soft try after failing to deal with a kick ahead and the last twenty minutes was an uncompromising confrontation in which neither side conceded an inch. The collisions were immense with Jim Pemberton, Fergus Kenny, Chris Dobbas and substitute Alex Morton to the fore whilst replacement prop, Nigel Malkin, came on to provide a calming influence as the clock ran down and the game finished in the gloom.

Jim Pemberton was the Wightlink man of the match whilst Oly Fulljames took the A J Wells Black Dog award.

Team: T.Price, S.Jesney, A.Pratt, L.Vanassche, J.Morley, J.Pemberton, R.Jackson, T.Riches, D.Marriott, F.Kenny, B.Lush, C.Dobbas, S.Lines, T.Wells, O.Fulljames Subs N.Malkin, A. Morton

Related posts:

1. Match report: Ventnor 1st XV v Chineham (7th November 2009) 7th November 2009 Chineham 23 – Ventnor RFC 20 This...
2. Match report: Ventnor 1st XV v Locksheath Pumas 1st XV (6th March 2010) Ventnor RFC 1st XV 41 – Locksheath Pumas RFC 1st...
3. Match report: Ventnor 1st XV v Fawley (5th December 2009) Ventnor 33 – Fawley 14 This rearranged fixture between Ventnor...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.