Match report Ventnor RFC 1st XV v Fareham Heathens RFC 1st XV 03/02/2018

Ventnor RFC 1st XV 7-32 Fareham Heathens RFC 1st XV

Ventnor entered their 15th league game of the season full of hope and hoping to achieve their eluded first win of the season. Facing a travelling Fareham Heathens who were currently sat 6th in the league, captain Jake Babington had plenty of players to pick from this week, replacing usual number 10, Sam Lines with a much fitter, faster and stronger player in Damien Marriot. The wet weather early in the week hadn’t benefitted the home side who with their fast, agile and athletic forwards would have preferred a much harder, faster surface to play on instead of the slow, wet pitch they were faced with.

Starting brightly Ventnor applied solid pressure within the first 10 minutes making forceful challenges and keeping the away side quiet, however poor tackling and a lack of discipline cost Ventnor as Fareham managed to capitalise and score a flurry of tries within quick succession. Sam Pickard narrowed the deficit crashing over shortly before half time with Andrew Gough converting the extras. Ventnor finished the half brightly offering the home side a glimmer of hope and leaving the score at 27-7.

As pitch conditions worsened both teams tired and the structured play within the first half was replaced with a much greater level of disarray. Ventnor fought tirelessly until the end ensuring Fareham only added 7 points to their half time score but failed to add any further points of their own. Final Score Ventnor RFC 7, Fareham Heathens 32.
Thank you to team sponsors AJ Wells & Sons and Ventnor Haven Fishery.

Thank you to match sponsors Ventnor Social Club, TJ’s Gym, High Street Bar Co., The Ale & Oyster, Joe’s Bar & Coffee Shop, Reynolds & Read Ltd, LJ Plumbing & Maintenance and Norris Family Grocers.

AJ Wells & Sons Man of the Match Lewis Jones

Ventnor Haven Fishery Cod Eye of the Day Jake Babington

Squad: Price, Jones, Pratt, Pickard, Green, Tucker, Edwards, Dawson, Roberts, Marriott, Blake, Gough, Babington, Urbonas, Harris, Fox, Blow, Morley, Teague

Thanks to Isle of Wight rugby photographer Andrew Cooper Photography

This match report will appear in the Ventnor RFC Magazine Spring 2018 edition