Ventnor secured their second place with a superb performance against Overton.
The last game between the two sides saw Ventnor just win it 30-29, so coming into this game they knew they had to perform well. Ventnor thought they had scored early when Ed Blake crashed over in the corner only for the referee to judge the last pass to be forward much to the crowds disagreement.
The first try eventually did come through with Justinas Urbonas scoring on the opposite wing. Fergus Kenny with a superb conversion kick to make the score 7-0.
After some great work to hold Overton’s driving maul back, captain Todd Riches scored which again was converted by Kenny to make the score 14-0 which remained until half time.
This season Ventnor have really worked on their fitness and they knew that the second half would all be about which team would crack first with both putting in hard shifts in defence.
Overton had come with a clear game plan and after a constant bombardment of pick and go’s and driving mauls, they eventually scored a try. This only served to kick Ventnor up into another gear and after this. Overton barely saw the ball.
A breakaway try from Lewis Jones cemented the home teams position. Followed by two tries for returning scrum half Paul Berry brought home the bonus point win and pushed them ahead of their promotion rivals.
Thank you to match sponsors Cliff Camm, Abacus Express Logistics, Hepburn Planning Consultancy, Cridmore Farm, Keith Streven and Bob Turner
AJ Wells Man of the Match – Lewis Jones
Ventnor Haven Fishery Cod eye of the Day – Jake Babington (for arranging a second team game that didn’t exist!)
Squad – Dawson, Jones, Gilbert, Pemberton, Morley, Magnursson, Gough, Riches, Berry, Kenny, Blake, Lines, Babington, Urbonas, Harris Subs – Simpson, Pratt, Newman, Marriott