Match report Results Ventnor Rugby Club 2XV v Fareham Heathens Rugby Club 2XV Sat 8 February 2025
Hampshire Premiership South League – Merit Table 2024-25
Fareham Heathens came across to Watcombe with a strong team built around an excellent axis at 8,9 and 10, some fleet-footed backs and a set of powerful forwards.
Ventnor were on the defensive from the first whistle, but it was a task they demonstrated they were more than prepared for with Nathan Frampton, Luke Steele, Ben Cooper and the abrasive Tom Smith leading the way. Despite this effort the Heathens were able to get round the edge and score a couple of early tries and it looked like it may be a long afternoon for the Islanders.
However it didn’t work out that way because Ventnor began to match the opposition for pace and their set piece began to take the sting out of big Heathen forwards as skipper Jack Rushton, Henryk Brown and Chris Skelley imposed their power in the scrums and Alex Morton ruled the airways in the line out.
Rosco Harris was his usual live-wire self at the base of the scrum and provided excellent service to the ever-improving Harry Ottley and his backline.
In one raid on the opposition’s line Ewan Castle was injured and replaced by Iain Reeves as coaches Ed Blake and Andy Teague began ringing the changes. Tim Davis entered the fray and soon the famous pink headgear became the bane of any Heathen attack while Max Wheeler came on to add power to the back line.
Heathens were beginning to punch themselves out against Ventnor’s stubborn defence with notable moments including Olly Wood’s try saver (in which he seemingly led with his nose). From this unpromising position, the Islanders began to make progress with Skelley and Harvey Wheeler leading the charge.
At a Heathens scrum in front of their own posts, Ventnor put on the afterburners which hoisted the opposition front-row skywards. From the resultant penalty, Harris flicked the ball to Will Bloomfield and the big farmer skittled the defenders and touched down for an outstanding try. Ottley calmly slotted the extras so that the halftime score ended up an encouraging 7 – 12.
The second half saw more changes with Jack Gilbey moving into the scrum as Morton was temporarily withdrawn. Bradley Francis and the veteran Tristan Price made brief appearances and Sean Frampton continued his enthusiastic rugby baptism.
Unfortunately for the vocal crowd at Watcombe, the Heathens were able to increase their lead with a couple of tries when Ventnor attacks broke down but the home team showed plenty of ambition and Fred Fairman, who had taken over from Gilbey at full-back, cut a blistering line and almost made it all the way before being dragged down.
Then in the final move of the match, Bloomfield picked up at the base of a yet another dominant scrum and kicked ahead. Harvey Wheeler was first to the resultant breakdown and Broomfield was back on hand to crash over for his second try. Once again Ottley slotted the extras to bring the final score to 14 – 29.
Image: James Morton
Although this was a defeat, it once more marked another step forward for this developing team in which the team spirit is indomitable.
Team: Rushton (capt), Brown, Skelley, N.Frampton, Castle, A.Morton, H.Wheeler, Bloomfield, Harris, H.Ottley, Smith, B.Cooper, Steele, Wood, Gilbey. Subs: Francis, T.Davis, Price, I.Reeves, M.Wheeler, S.Frampton, Fairman.
Ventnor RFC 2XV AJ Wells Man of the Match and Red Funnel Moment of the Match 8 February 2025
The AJ Wells Man of the Match: Tom Smith
The Red Funnel Moment of the Match: Will Bloomfield
The Howden Insurance Supporter of the Day: Callum Martin (Linesman)
Match report: James Morton
Next Saturday (15th Feb) Ventnor’s 1st travel to play Portsmouth 2nds while Ventnor’s 2nds entertain Chichester 3rds at Watcombe.
Remaining fixtures for Ventnor RFC 2XV for the 2024-25 season
Just two games remains for Ventnor Lions in their 2024-2025 league season in the Hampshire Premiership South – Merit Table:
February 2025
Saturday, 15 Feb 2025 Hampshire Premiership South – Merit Table
Ventnor RFC 2nd XV v Chichester RFC III
March 2025
Saturday, 08 Mar 2025 Hampshire Premiership South – Merit Table
Ventnor RFC 2nd XV v Sandown & Shanklin RFC 2nd XV
Best Regards
James
JAMES MORTON
Honorary Secretary, Ventnor RFC
T: 07901 938 317
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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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