Christchurch RFC 2XV 5 – 35 Ventnor RFC 2XV match report
Counties 5 Hampshire South West, Saturday 21 October 2023
This terrific performance by this Ventnor 2nd XV represented another step up in their development in which took the game to the opposition from the off, away to Christchurch RFC 2XV.
Image: Andrew Cooper Photography
Strong work by the forward back spearheaded by Gary Ball, skipper Jack Rushton and Bradley Francis set up a position for fly-half Max Wheeler to slot an early penalty, but Christchurch hit back with a try despite some great defence by the uncompromising James Pemberton and Will Broomfield.
Ventnor came back strongly with Wheeler setting up Dean Magnurson who was revelling in the perfect conditions for his subterranean game!
Christchurch were able to clear but the momentum turned when Broomfield chased a long kick and put in a simply seismic hit on the home team’s catcher.
Image: Andrew Cooper Photography
From the resulting set-piece, Ventnor worked the ball through the hands down the short side and Harry Ottley, Dan Muir and Broomfield put the ageless Rosco Harris in for a try. Harris then doubled his tally when Ottley and Callum Martin chased a kick from Wheeler and from the subsequent scrum, Broomfield’s break and pass set up the scrumhalf to jink over.
The powerful Bob Parker had to leave the field with a leg injury so Jimmy Excell came on to make his debut for Ventnor and immediately stamped his identity on the game with some crunching tackles and forceful drives.
With the support provided by James Blake and James Green, the visitor’s pack was in the ascendancy and halftime was reached with the score at 5 – 13 in favour of Ventnor.
Half Time 15 – 7
Rushton was mixing up his squad with Tristan Price, Nathan Frampton and Olly Wood taking the field but there was no let-up in Ventnor’s authority, work ethic and fellowship and a great tackle by Wood forced a loose ball which Draper demonstrated remarkable footballing skills to kick ahead and touch down.
Image: Andrew Cooper Photography
Wheeler then chased his own kick to score before Frampton was but in by Ewan Castle after another charge by Broomfield who will feature in many a Christchurch players’ nightmares for some time to come.
Image: Andrew Cooper Photography
Final score 5 – 35
Image: James Morton
This result plus the try bonus point maintains Ventnor’s position at the head of the Hampshire Counties 5 South league with their next game due against Eastleigh 3rds on 11th November.
Team: Rushton (capt), Francis, Ball, Green, J. Blake, D. Magnurson, Parker, Broomfield, Harris, M. Wheeler, Ottley, Pemberton, Draper, Martin, Castle.
Subs: Price, Frampton, Excell, Wood, Muir.
The A J Wells Men of the Match: Dean Magnurson
The Red Funnel Moment of the Match: Harry Ottley
Coaches: Jason Evans, Clive Cardwell-HillPhysios: Sarah Watt
Match Report: JAMES MORTON
Best Regards
James
JAMES MORTON
Ventnor RFC
T: 07901 938 317
All fixtures are subject to change or cancellation at short notice.