Great news Ventnor RFC play tomorrow

By GH

Great news Ventnor RFC play tomorrow

Very exciting news. Due to our Tier One status, the RFU are using the Island as the location to test out the new experimental ‘adapted’ laws on the route back to rugby.

And it all starts TOMORROW – Saturday 5th December at the Hurricanes ground at Sandown. This means that, apart from the Premiership and the Internationals, the Island will be the only place in the UK where it is possible to watch live rugby!

Great-news-Ventnor-RFC-play-tomorrow
Great news Ventnor RFC play tomorrow 05/12/2020

The three Island clubs – Ventnor RFC, Sandown and Shanklin RFC and Isle of Wight RFC – have been asked to field teams to play in a round-robin competition, which kicks off at 12:30. Now this schedule is liable to change, so keep your eyes on your emails right up to the last minute and I will endeavour to update you.

The ‘adapted’ laws basically boil down to NO SCRUMS and NO MAULS. Everything else is just the same – tackling, rucking, line-outs etc – so it promises to be a very fast version of the game!

To demonstrate the importance that the RFU are placing on this event, Adam Leal, the premiership referee is coming over to officiate. In fact Adam has a busy weekend as he will be at the Bristol Bears RFC game this evening and then back in Twickenham Stadium on Sunday to be the fourth official for the England v France match of the Autumn Nations Cup Final 2020 (KO 14:00 GMT)!

Spectators ARE allowed but we have to abide by the ‘group of six’ rules and social distancing. It will definitely be sensible to bring a mask so that you can move around in the bar etc. Also, we want to make a strong showing, so please wear your Ventnor RFC ties etc.

There’s no doubt about it, the Ventnor players are up for it. There were sixteen at training last night despite the last-minute nature of it all.

Fergus Kenny, coach of Ventnor RFC, here as linesman at Watcombe Bottom in the 2020/21 season.
Fergus Kenny, coach of Ventnor RFC, here as linesman at Watcombe Bottom in the 2020/21 season.

Fergus Kenny ran an excellent session to get the guys ready for the new laws and the commitment and fitness on show was highly impressive. Ventnor has been fortunate enough to attract several new young players and it is definitely exciting times for the club. And it starts tomorrow . . . .

The future’s bright, the future’s blue and white.

I hope to see you there.

Yours in Rugby
James Morton
VRFC Sec’

You can purchase a Ventnor RFC club tie here:

Thanks to our club sponsors, including

AJ Wells
Red Funnel Ferries
Gamson Gray Design & Media

About Ventnor RFC

Situated on the south coast of the Isle of Wight, Ventnor Rugby Club enjoys one of the most dramatic and picturesque grounds in the country. The pitch and clubhouse are located in the base of a natural bowl that cuts into the slopes of Week Down to the north with panoramic views of Steephill Cove and the English Channel to the south.

Renowned for its sociable welcome to visiting teams and casual spectators alike.

Why not join Ventnor RFC?

Ventnor RFC teams play in the Hampshire RFU leagues and cup competitions.

Player membership starts is £16 per month. Yearly membership and concessions options are available.

Standard fees for players remain at £16 per month, (£192 per annum), with concessionary fees for students and the unemployed set at £8 per month (£98 per annum). Fees become due from the 1st September.

Full details of club membership here.

The cost thanks to our sponsors and VP’s remains significantly cheaper compared to the other two clubs on the island.

Remember if you intend to play for Ventnor RFC you MUST have a players membership as a minimum for your RFU insurance to be valid.

Non-playing members (V.P.s) are also welcome to join the club, from £5 per month.

Find out more on playing for Ventnor RFC

Thanks to Andrew Cooper Photography