Match report: Ventnor RFC 1XV v Trojans RFC 2XV, 26 January 2019

Ventnor RFC 1XV 62 – 0 Trojans RFC 2XV

Ventnor broke down a resilient Trojans’ defence in a 10 try win over their mainland opponents.

The game started with an even feel to the game with both teams looking to move the ball about in the windy and sometimes rainy conditions. Eventually, 15 minutes into the game, the home side broke the deadlock with the returning Paul Berry taking a quick tap penalty and eventually offloading to Ed Blake for his and the games first score.

Ventnor then looked to build the next score and after multiple phases, Lewis Jones picked at the back of a ruck to crash over for the second try of the game.

The home side were looking increasingly comfortable as the half progressed but were unlucky to have a couple of try attempts deemed as being held up. Full back Justinas Urbonas wasn’t to be stopped though as he bundled over for his third try of the season and the game’s third.

The second half and the change of ends meant Ventnor were now playing with the wind. Tries quickly started coming thick and fast with Captain Jake Babington grabbing a brace within a couple of minutes. Ed Blake added two more tries to complete his hat trick.

The game saw a return to the side of Sam Lines who has recovered from an injury back in October. He celebrated his return with a breakaway try.

After five years away from the club, Ben Cooper scored on his comeback game, describing his return as “like riding a bike”.

Finally, after harassing the Trojans’ defence all day, scrum-half Paul Berry crashed over to get his name on the score board. Todd Riches had a decent day from the boot in the tricky conditions, electing a few times to drop kicking the conversions.

All round a decent day for Ventnor who know turn their attention to preparing for the derby day versus Isle of Wight, where Ventnor look to complete the double against their local rivals.

AJ Wells Man of the Match – Ed Blake

Red Funnel Moment of the Match – Sam Dawson

Team – Dawson, Jones, Pratt, Teague, Savill, Griggs, Edwards, Colson, Berry, Riches, Blake, Dawes, Babington, Fox, Urbonas, Cooper, Lines, Keyes.

Ventnor RFC would like to thank the following for sponsoring the match: The Muncasters, The Ale and Oyster, CP Bathrooms, The Leconfield.

This match report and images will appear in the Winter edition of the Ventnor RFC Magazine, as well as appearing in the Winter 2018 edition of the Isle of Wight Rugby Magazine