Lymington Mariners 1st XV 3-33 Ventnor 1st XV
Ventnor looked to build from their emphatic win at home the week before and took charge of the game from the start on Saturday playing some excellent rugby. Lymington Mariners had a side full of big forwards and were winning majority of the scrums. Ventnor however were well drilled and superb in going forward in both defense and attack. Strong attacking play with Todd Riches, James Morley and Sam Pickard all making strong runs carrying the ball and making ground to set a platform to allow the backs time and space to show their flare with Sam Lines as ever using his impressive step to leave the defense wrong footed. The first try of the game finally came from an attack that saw the whole team involved with the forwards driving up the field with Fergus Kenny constantly talking and controlling the moves and then some good awareness from Damien Marriott (who converted 4 of the 5 trys) giving the ball to Lines in space who touched down for the opener. The second try didn’t take long to follow with Riches crashing over the line to score again. Ventnor now getting up a head of steam and playing as a 15 scored a third before half time this time by Aaron Fradgley running it in from the wing. As the second half kicked off Lymington came out all guns blazing looking to make sure Ventnor didn’t run away with the game, Ventnor’s defense held strong with tackles being made by all. Lymington became increasingly frustrated and Tom Engelgardt seemed to be on the receiving end of it being taken out on more than one occasion after shipping the ball. Their frustration didn’t help their cause and had two men sin binned in the second half leaving Ventnor to dominate with a further two trys another from Lines and one from the captain Danny Newberry who simply fell over the line to touch down. Lymington who were determined to not leave the pitch with 0 points converted a penalty right in font of the posts to put 3 points on the board. Ventnor had to see out the rest of the game with 14 men after Tobias Penner was Red carded for an off the ball incident but made no difference to final score with Ventnor growing in confidence.
Wight Link Man of the match- Sam Pickard
AJ Wells Black Dog Award– Tobias Penner
Team: Dan Newberry, Scott Jesney, Tristan Price, Sam Pickard, James Morley, Tobias Penner, Todd Riches, Fergus Kenny, Damien Marriott, Ross Harris, Jake Babington, Tom Engelgardt, Jim Pemberton, Lewis Jones, Darryl Bolton, Aaron Fradgley, Sam Lines
Eastleigh 3rd XV 42-17 Ventnor 2nd XV
Ventnors 2nd XV hit by injuries and losing players to the 1st XV travelled with a very inexperienced team. Indeed 3 players where making their debut with a further 2 players returning after lengthy times away from the game.
With a strong set of forwards Ventnor were able to hold off the early pressure from a strong experienced Eastleigh team. However, Eastleigh soon realised that by using there back line chances would be created. The first half saw Eastleigh run over three tries with Ventnors Gary Ball scoring one in response. Ventnor started the second half as strong as they had the first and soon scored through Ed Blake and again through Gary Ball. Sensing that they could get something from the game Ventnor pushed for further tries. However, as fatigue began to take its toll Eastleigh found the scoring touch again and ran in 3 further tries. The score line flattered Eastleigh given the inexperienced side that Ventnor had been forced to field.
Wightlink Man of match- Robert Doorman
AJ Wells Black Dog Award- Jake Paceman