Ventnor RFC 2XV 25-25 New Milton RFC 2XV match report
Counties 5 Hampshire South West, Saturday 7 October 2023
Ventnor welcomed New Milton RFC for the first 2nds XV home game of the season, and with Ventnor currently on a run of two wins from two games looking to make it a third with another strong lineup captained by Jack Rushton who led the Lions out to battle.
Ventnor 2nds XV held strong in the early scrums with the front-row players Gary Ball and Bradley Francis having powerful games in the set with James Blake and James Green at second row.
Ventnor then took the lead in what was a quick turn of pace, with the ball fed out quickly from the scrum by Ross Harris allowing Charlie Magnurson to break through the defensive line to score.
This was followed by another after a quick offload from the scrum for Jim Pemberton to drive through a crowded defence to push over the line for the try of the game with Warren Riches scoring the conversion.
Ventnor made several good charges at the defence with Dean Magnurson and Will Broomfield making several powerful runs through the opposition.
New Milton then saw the chance to spread the play out wide on either wing only for Harry Ottley and Ollie Wood to cover well and stop several attacks with covering support from Alan Fox.
Half Time 15 – 7
Image: Andrew Cooper Photography
The second half proved more of a battle with New Milton getting themselves back into the game. This gave the defence plenty of work to do with Nathan Frampton and Tim Davis stepping up to make vital tackles and Harvey Wheeler putting in a shift at full-back to clear out the long kicks forward.
Ventnor took advantage of a weakened defence to work the ball out wide for another try. The introduction of Tristan Price in at front row saw a strong scrum that allowed a quick ball out to the wing and Ewan Castle to get his first try for Ventnor after some great work from the centres Todd Riches and Steve Maskell.
New Milton battled back to be just three points behind but couldn’t force their way through the tough defensive line. With seconds to go a penalty conceded by Ventnor allowed New Milton to choose to level the score with a penalty kick having been forced back numerous times by the defensive line.
Full Time 25 – 25
Image: unknown
Team: Ball, Francis, Rushton (capt), Green, J.Blake, D.Magnurson, C.Magnurson, Bloomfiled, Harris, W.Riches, Wood, Pemberton, Maskell, Ottley, Fox. Subs: Frampton, T.Davis, H.Wheeler, M.Wheeler, Castle, T.Riches, Price.
The A J Wells Men of the Match: Jim Pemberton
The Red Funnel Moment of the Match: Dean Magnurson
Coaches: Fergus Kenny
Physio: Zoe Jones
Match Report: Ewan Castle
Best Regards
James
JAMES MORTON
Ventnor RFC
T: 07901 938 317
All fixtures are subject to change or cancellation at short notice.