Ventnor RFC enjoyed a 40th birthday last Saturday since being reformed in 1974. Guests, Trustees and Vice Presidents of all ages come together once again to hear speakers and toast the success of the Club. The celebration was led by John Metcalfe, John Whitehouse and Stuart Babington. Adam Pratt was Master of Ceremonies. The Ladies provided the meal. Speakers reflected in fun on past results both good and not so good, the lost agility and the memorable Club’s characters. Topping the day was the presentation of the new kit to today’s playing Captain Todd Riches by Trustee and Vice President Stephen Champion. A generation on and the father/son succession continues through the likes of John & Fergus Kenny, Bob & Neil Turner, Pete & Arron+Damion Marriot, Adam & Adam Pratt, Bob and Tom Engelgardt, Alan and Warren Fresle, Stuart and Jake Babington, Brennan and Arron Fradgley.
Ventnor RFC 1st XV 26-59 Millbrook RFC 1st XV
After last week’s big win over Wotton Millbrook travelled to the island expecting an easy game but that was not the case. Ventnor gave their all in this cup game which marked the 40th anniversary of their first home game.
The home side started off the same as last week needing a kick start to get them going and conceded two try’s early on. Ventnor then came back strong and evened the score with Todd Riches leading by example and making a storming run down the wing after some great work from Neil Turner who managed to steal the ball to then off load to the Ventnor captain. Then a few minutes later Sam lines made an excellent interception to break through and bring Ventnor level with Damien Marriott converting both.
Both teams played good attacking rugby and with Millbrook taking penalty kicks from anywhere within Ventnor’s half went into the break with the lead.
Ventnor started slowly again and let Millbrook extend their league with more try’s from their strong forwards driving their team over the line. Riches would yet again lead by example and give the island team some hope making another great run to score his second of the game working hard to gain the yards with support from James Morley and Tobias Penner. With the half back pairing of the Marriott brothers kicking well to keep Millbrook at bay along with hard tackles being made by the likes of Jim Pemberton and Tom Engelgardt. Ventnor were to go down to 14 men with Danny Newbury getting sin binned for the second time in three games. Despite this and being inside their own twenty two Jake Babington managed to pick up a loose ball from the opposition and run the length of the pitch to get Ventnor’s last try of the game and Marriott to convert. As Newbury came back from his sin bin Fergus Kenny replaced him there for killing the ball. This then opened the door for visitors to run in the remainder of their try’s to see them secure the win.
Team: A.Pratt, L.Jones, T.Price, J.Morley, N.Turner,T.Penner, G.Davies, T.Riches, A.Marriott, D.Marriott, S.Lines, J.Pemberton, G.Davis, J.Babington, T. Engelgardt subs: D.Newbury, R.Harris, S.Williams, E.Blake
Wight Link Man Of The Match: Neil Turner
A.J.Wells Black Dog Award: Danny Newbury