Ventnor entertained second-placed Fawley at Watcombe Bottom last Saturday (26th).
Ventnor, playing with the wind behind them, went on the attack from the start. Cooper soon slotted over a penalty after Fawley were penalised for being offside at a ruck.
The Ventnor forwards laid seige to the Fawley try line and were rewarded when they pushed the Fawley scrum backward and Riches burst over for the try. Cooper missed the conversion.
For the rest of the half Ventnor created plenty of chances but failed to convert any of them into points. The score at the break was 8 – 0.
The second half followed the same pattern as the first, with Ventnor having most of the possession.
Newbery and Riches made several powerful breaks but the usually reliable Pickard squandered several try-scoring opportunities.
Cooper kicked another penalty and man of the match Riches scored Ventnor’s last points with a pushover try.
Fawley scored a consolation try in the dying minutes to make the final score 16 – 5 to Ventnor.
Ventnor would like to thank generous match sponsors the IOW Owl and Falconry Centre, Mark Cufflin Ltd, The Eversley Hotel and The Leconfield Hotel. Ventnor travel to Fareham Heathens next Saturday in their push for promotion.