Match report: Ventnor RFC 1st XV v Overton RFC 1st XV 07 April 2018
Ventnor 1st XV 24 – 14 Overton 1st XV
Victory at last!
In their last home game of the season, Ventnor looked to improve on their increasingly better performances in recent games and having lost the previous game by 1 point, victory was the next step.
The beginning of the game saw both teams having positive passages of play, with Ventnor looking to play with their large attacking backs and Overton using their tried and tested maul. Ventnor fronted up in the forwards by winning scrums against the head and repelling maul attacks. After working their way up the pitch, Ventnor scored through stand in Captain Andrew Gough. This was followed by another break away try by Paul Berry who had busted through the line taking a 14-0 lead into half time.
Ventnor’s kick off lead to a counter attack from Overton which caught some complacency unaware and a try was scored. This was followed by another piece of attacking play from Overton, this time through their attacking maul proving to be unstoppable. 14-14. Game on.
Ventnor rallied after this and soon found their way back into the game with some great phases of play. After several thwarted attempts at the line, Ed Blake finally went round the opposition and scored to get Ventnor’s nose back in front.
Ventnor then camped in the opposition half and after relentless attacks James Morley was popped the ball and broke away under the posts. The charged down conversion signalled the end of the game and Ventnor’s first win of the season.
Thank you to match sponsors Perks of Ventnor, The Bistro, John Liddelow Financial Services, Solent.Co, Wendy’s, Ventnor Social Club and The Kitchen @ London House.
AJ Wells & Sons Man of the Match – Lewis Jones
Ventnor Haven Fishery Cod Eye of the Day – Damien Marriott
Squad -Dawson, Jones, Pratt, Green, Savill, Franklin, Edwards, Pickard, Berry, Gough, Blake, Pemberton, Dobbas, Marriott, Lines, Bell, Morley, Harris.
Isle of Wight rugby photography by Andrew Cooper Photography from this game will appear in: the Ventnor RFC Magazine Summer 2018 edition
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