Ventnor RFC 1XV 12-12 Overton RFC 1XV match report

Counties 3 Hampshire Saturday 9 December 2023

Ventnor came up short against a fired-up Overton RFC side, who travelled with thirteen players. The visitors played to their strengths which were in their pack and with their greater size and excellent skills of supporting the ball carrier, they were able to make ground despite the relentless tackling of Joe Coghlan, George Collett, Andy Teague and Ben Cooper.

When in possession, Ventnor’s 1st XV admirably tried to play all the rugby when a kick-and-chase may have paid more dividends by turning the Overton pack and putting pressure on their short-handed backline.

Ventnor RFC 1XV 12-12 Overton RFC 1XV match report

Overton scored the only try of the first half while Ventnor got themselves into promising positions only to lose the ball by lack of support of the runner or by losing a critical line-out due to the conditions.

Skipper Ben Savill led by example as he, Dan Lythgoe and Grant Richardson made the hard yards while Cory Turner was unlucky that his little chip and catch came to nothing.

Halftime seemed to be whistled early as Ventnor were putting on the pressure but they made it stick in the second half when Joel Cocks made a break and Will Harrison set up a ruck from which Ben Souter put Guy Entwistle in for a try. Cooper converted and Ventnor were in the lead.

Joe Coghlan takes a clean catch from Will Harrisons throw Ventnor RFC 1XV v Overton RFC 1XV 09122023 photo by Andy Wall

Image: Andy Wall

At halftime, Callum Martin came on for Dylan Gray and the veteran Allan Bridges replaced Turner.

However, the Islanders’ advantage didn’t last long as Overton’s kick off evaded everyone and bounced to within five metres of the corner flag.

Ventnor fluffed their lines and – despite their numbers disadvantage – Overton were able to go wide on the left where their winger touched down. The conversion of this try was remarkable considering the position and the conditions and meant that Overton were back in the lead.

Ventnor kept playing the passing and running game and Martin put in a couple of promising bursts while Luke Butler came close before Richardson was able to touch down when Collett, Lythgoe and Harrison marmalised an Overton scrum. Cooper narrowly missed the conversion and the game ran out with the scores even at 12 – 12.

Frustration was the overriding emotion after the match coupled with great respect for their opposition. Ventnor will be hoping for the return of some of their injured players as they prepare to meet the Isle of Wight at Watcombe next Saturday.

Ventnor RFC 1sts and Overton RFC 1st Watcombe 9th Dec 23

Image: James Morton

Team: Collett, Harrison, Lythgoe, Teague, Richardson, Savill (capt), Coghlan, L. Morton, Souter, Cooper, Turner, Entwistle, Cocks, Gray, Butler.

Subs: Martin, Bridges

The A J Wells Men of the Match: George Collett 
The Red Funnel Moment of the Match: Andy Teague

Coaches: Jason Evans , Clive Cardwell-Hill
Physio: Zoe Jones

Match Report: JAMES MORTON

Ventnor RFC would like to thank our match sponsors, namely: Cheetah Marine, Flowers for You, Inspiration Fabrication, Isle of Wight Coffee Company, Nettlecombe Farm, Solent.co, The Bistro at London House, The Spyglass and Whitwell Garage.