Match report Fareham Heathens RFC 75-14 Ventnor RFC 2XV Hampshire Premiership South Merit Table
12 October 2024
Ventnor 2nd team arrived on the mainland with only 12 players following some late withdrawals. They managed to collect 3 guest players before kick-off only to come up against a well drilled & fitter Fareham Heathens 2nd XV, containing a few familiar faces from last season’s 1st XV fixture.
Ventnor found themselves 14-0 down in quick time following two converted tries from distance but they fought back with a try themselves after 15 minutes. The impressive Harry Ottley broke through the Fareham back line, following a scrum on the 22m line, to score close to the posts. Warren Riches converted.
The Islanders were gaining in confidence and their forwards began to dominate possession, going through the phases effectively, with veteran skipper Dean Magnurson and Brad Francis to the fore.
However, Ventnor failed to capitalise on the possession and the tide turned ten minutes before half time as Fareham came back scoring four unanswered tries before the interval.
Halftime score 40-7
The pattern continued in the 2nd half with Fareham adding to their tally.
Ventnor had begun to dominate the scrums but an injury in the Heathens’ front row led to uncontested scrums.
This further advantaged the home team giving them clean ball with which to attack the Ventnor back line and led to more additions to the try total.
Ventnor were further disadvantaged with ten minutes to go, losing Ewan Castle to a knee injury.
Ventnor had their moments, pushed on by busy scrum half Ben Cooper who was linking well with his half back partner Ottley. It was another line break by Ottley that led to Ventnor’s 2nd try, scored by one of the guests & converted by Riches.
Another converted try by Fareham in the last minute led to a final score of 75-14.
Finally, a word of praise for the referee. Heather Addison-Prout from the Hampshire Society is a new face on the circuit. She had an excellent game.
Ventnor Squad: Price, Brown, Reeves, Francis, Martin, D. Magnurson, Cooper, Ottley, Flanagan, Lush, Gilbey, T. Davis, W. Riches
2XV AJ Wells Man of the Match and Red Funnel Moment of the Match 12 October 2024
The A.J. Wells Man of the Match: Brad Francis
The Red Funnel Moment of the Match: Dean Magnurson
Report and 2nd XV photo by Andy Wall
Best Regards
James
JAMES MORTON
Ventnor RFC
T: 07901 938 317
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