Overton RFC 1XV v Ventnor RFC 1XV Hampshire Counties 3 League 26th October 2024
Result: Overton 7 – 24 Ventnor
After a stuttering performance against Romsey the previous Saturday, Director of Rugby Neil Evans rang the changes in his squad by bringing in three debutants in Henrik Brown, Jonah Lewin and Alec Bulpitt with Iain Reeves and Olly Wood coming on for only their second game in the first team. Suffice to say, the gamble paid off handsomely in a terrific display where every player bought into the gameplan and gave a hundred percent throughout.
Things didn’t bode well for the Islanders as players settled into their roles and the set scrum creaked against the weight and experience of the Overton pack and it was the home team who struck first with a close-in try after a penalty set up their position.
But Ventnor shook it off and came straight back into the game as Ben Souter’s excellent distribution allowed Ben Cooper to act as a pivot to send his forwards into the heart of the home defence.
The energy and power of Dan Lythgoe, Jewy Jones and skipper Ben Savill were in evidence as they constantly tested the resolve of the Overton defence with the support of Reeves, Lewin and George Collett ensuring clean possession from which to launch further inroads.
Images: James Morton
The home team were struggling to cope with this onslaught and began to concede penalties from which set up the platform for Lewy Morton to burrow over for a try. Ed Blake converted and it was all square.
Things stayed even for a time with both teams testing each other’s defence and there were moments of concern for the Islanders in which Wood and Callum Martin worked wonders to keep out their opposing wide players.
The tide began to run Ventnor’s way when, from a line-out on halfway Tim Davis – on for Reeves – drove into the midfield defence and set up a quick ruck from which Lewin and Collett got the ball back to Blake who set off on an arcing run to the right. Bulpitt and Martin kept the wide-out defence guessing and Blake was able to power on through and touch down.
Soon afterwards another attack – highlighted by a straightening charge by Brown – gave Cooper the chance to open it up and Bulpitt put Layton Greatorex into space from which the powerful centre brushed off the remnants of the defence to make the halftime score 7 – 17.
Overton’s experience and pride meant they were not going to capitulate and the second half was one of blow and counter blow in which the defence of Morton, Cooper, Jones and Savill was outstanding and no Ventnor player shirked his responsibility. Savill was harshly yellow carded after he had been pushed out a line-out but his players kept up the pressure and from a turnover in midfield Cooper set Bulpitt away.
Greatorex was there in support and took the pass to touch down for his second score and the try bonus point. Blake converted to bring up the final score of 7 – 24.
This was an exceptional display by Ventnor who travelled with just sixteen players but didn’t allow Overton another point after their early try.
The debutants all had great games and the importance of everyone buying into the gameplan from the training pitch has never been more evident.
Ventnor have a week off before hosting Portsmouth 2nds on the 9th November during which time the coaches and captain have some difficult – but welcome – selection headaches!
Image: James Morton
Ventnor Rugby Football Club 1XV Team: Lythgoe, Brown, Collett, Reeves, Lewin, Jones, L. Morton, Savill (capt), Souter, Cooper, Wood, Greatorex, Bulpitt, Martin, E.Blake. Sub: T.Davis
Coaches: Neil Evans, Clive Cardwell-Hill, Todd Riches and Dean Magnurson
Physio: Sarah Watt
Ventnor RFC 1XV AJ Wells Man of the Match and Red Funnel Moment of the Match 26 October 2024
The A.J. Wells Man of the Match: Lewis Morton
The Red Funnel Moment of the Match: Jonah Lewin and Alec Bulpitt
Match Report by James Morton
Best Regards
James
JAMES MORTON
Honorary Club Secretary Ventnor RFC
T: 07901 938 317
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