Match Report Ventnor RFC 1XV 17-24 Aldershot and Fleet RFC
Hampshire Premiership South League 2024-25
Saturday 21 September 2024 at Watcombe Bottom Sports Centre
Match report: James Morton
Ventnor Rugby Club’s 1XV kicked off the new season with a highly promising performance against a strong Aldershot and Fleet RFC side which was only undone by their own lack of discipline and over-ambitious play in their own defensive zone.
The new-look side lacked nothing in terms of skill, fitness and teamwork and there were huge positives to be taken from the performance.
Ventnor had the better of the opening phases with the new axis of Joe Coghlan and Max Wheeler at nine and ten playing with great assurance.
Image: Luke Butler
Wheeler was outstanding throughout, mixing up his game with some excellent kicking, distribution and making ground with his own physical presence.
The first score came after his outstanding touch-finder from which the Islanders laid siege to the Aldershot line until Dan Lythgoe powered over. Wheeler duly converted from far out. 7 – 0.
With Lewis Jones making powerful runs into the opposition lines, it was all Ventnor at this point with the support of Andy Teague and Nathan Frampton very evident.
Image: Luke Butler
Adam Pratt was anchoring a powerful scrum and Lewy Morton was ruling the airways in the lineout. From a fluid move in the centre of the field, Ed Blake, Jake Babington, Ben Savill and George Collett made ground and Wheeler slotted the resultant penalty. 10 – 0.
But the danger signs were evident as Ventnor’s enthusiasm led to a rising penalty count coupled with a desire to play in all parts of the pitch when a safety-first boot to touch may have been the preferred option.
Hence Aldershot hit back when a quickly taken tap penalty led to a converted try on the left to bring the score back to 10 – 7. This was quickly followed by a penalty kick so that half-time was reached with the teams level at 10 -10.
The second half was a more scrappy affair from which Aldershot came out on top after both Lewis Howard (having a storming debut) and Dan Lythgoe were shown the yellow card and the visitors were able to notch up a couple of tries from line-out drives.
Image: Luke Butler
But Ventnor kept showing their skills with Tom Crews strong in attack and defence and the bench of Fred Fairman, Lewis Wyatt and Sam Lines adding power and pace to the occasion.
Jack Gilbey – on his 1st XV debut – didn’t get much chance in attack but his defensive duties were well in evidence and both he and Howard look like real prospects.
Ventnor’s second half try was scored by Ed Blake after a series of scrums and drives on the opposition line where the patient ball retention was excellent.
Wheeler once again converted and Ventnor ended the game once more encamped on the Aldershot line in a last ditch effort to grab a deserved draw only for yet another penalty to dash their hopes.
Ventnor Rugby Club 1st XV Squad, 21 September 2024:
Pratt, Jones, Lythgoe, Frampton, Teague, Collett, L.Morton, Savill (capt), Coghlan, Wheeler, E.Blake, Howard, Crews, Gilbey, Babington
Subs: Fairman, Wyatt, Lines
Coaches: Neil Evans, Clive Hill, Todd Riches, Dean Magnurson
Physio: Sarah Watt
Ventnor Rugby Club Match Sponsors Saturday 21 September 2024
Thanks to the Ventnor Rugby Club Match Sponsors Saturday 21st September 2024
As ever we must thank our match sponsors for the weekend, namely:
Barry Pike, Beach Events, Cheetah Marine, Jeannette Adams, LJ Plumbing, Mark Cufflin, Mike Toomey, Ron Gisborn, Steve Cooper (the Mayor of Ventnor), The Flower Garden, Lois & Andy Mullins and Yates Brewery.
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Man of the Match Awards
The A J Wells Man of the Match: Lewis Jones
The Red Funnel Moment of the Match: Jake Babington
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Best Regards
James
JAMES MORTON
Honorary Club Secretary Ventnor RFC
T: 07901 938 317
Ventnor Rugby Club, Watcombe Bottom Sports Centre, Watcombe Bottom, Whitwell Road, Ventnor, Isle of Wight, PO38 1LP – view on Google Maps
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