Ellingham & Ringwood RFC 1st XV 63 – 0 Ventnor RFC 1st XV
Due to some late call-offs, Ventnor travelled with a bare fifteen players to face a well-drilled Ellingham and Ringwood team who are currently flying high in Hampshire League One.
Despite this, the scoreline does not remotely reflect the action on the pitch where the Islanders more than matched the hosts in many aspects of play and never allowed their spirits or energy to drop.
Right from the first whistle, Ventnor’s cause was not helped by a
The defence of Colson, Morton, Savill and Green was mighty throughout whilst the front row of Noyes, Jones and Pratt were the dominant force in the set piece. Nothing came through the middle and it was only out wide that Ellingham had an advantage due to so many Ventnor players coming to terms with unaccustomed positions.
Despite this, the tackling of Urbonas, Edwards and Blake was of heroic proportions and thus restricted the hosts to a 24 point lead at half-time. At this point, Ventnor lost the ever-willing Mark Tucker to injury, so
Thus Ventnor finished the game with thirteen men but still kept banging on the door with Colson, Babington and Blake all stopped inches from the line. A loss of composure at these times probably cost the Islanders several tries that they richly deserved.
Even so, there were examples of magnificent defence when Teague somehow got back to stop a certain try and young Gareth Gough – growing into the game throughout – pulled off a marvellous tackle to prevent another. At the final whistle, it was both telling and gratifying that the Ellingham team acknowledged the massive challenge that Ventnor had presented.
A J Wells Man of the Match: Dan Noyes
Red Funnel Moment of the Match: Andy Teague for his ‘clearance’ kick
Team: Noyes, Jones, Pratt, Savill, Teague, Morton, Green, Colson, Babington (capt), Urbonas, Tucker, Blake, Edwards, Gough, Engelgardt
Related links
Ellingham and Ringwood RFC