Match report Ventnor Rugby Club 2XV v Sandown and Shanklin Rugby Club 2XV Saturday 15 March 2025
Saturday 15th March 2025 Hampshire Premiership South 2024-25 – Merit Table
In their last game of the 2024-25 season, in the Hampshire Premiership South – Merit Table league, Ventnor RFC 2XV had a local derby against Sandown and Shanklin RFC 2XV.
This was a strong performance by the Sandown & Shanklin Hurricanes 2nd team that kept racking up the points throughout the match in front of another large crowd at Watcombe Bottom.
Although the Ventnor team started strongly and camped on the opposition’s line for the first five minutes (and inflicted so much pressure that the referee issued an early yellow card), it was the visitors who scored first when Ventnor failed to deal with a kick-ahead.
Soon afterwards the score was 0 – 14 but Ventnor fought back with a try of their own when newcomer Tom Branagh darted over after some powerful runs from Will Broomfield and Harvey Wheeler.
The Hurricanes then upped their game and a series of tries followed as the half unfolded and it wasn’t until the second half before Ventnor troubled the scorers once more when Branagh scored again after Luke Steele and Ben Souter made ground.
Soon afterwards Tim Davis was unlucky that a kick-ahead and chase didn’t result in that illusive first Ventnor try but the position that he set up allowed Ben Souter to skip over for a try which Jack Davis converted.
Then, in almost the last move of the game, Layton Greatorex charged over for a try from a tap penalty. Again Davis converted to leave the final score 26 – 58.
This was the last home game for Ventnor this season in which there has been a steady improvement and consistency with new players joining throughout the year. Indeed there were two debutants in this match – Tom Branagh who displayed his talents with his two tries while Martin Wheeler (who came on in the second half) looks like a real prospect.
Image: Lewy Morton
Ventnor 2XV Squad 15 March 2025:
Team: T. Davis, Francis, Rushton (capt), N. Frampton, H. Wheeler, Gilbey, Greatorex, Broomfield, Souter, H. Ottley, Wood, J. Davis, Bulpitt, Steele, Crews. Subs: Branagh, S. Frampton, A. Morton, Fairman, Martin Wheeler, G. Davis
Ventnor RFC 2XV AJ Wells Man of the Match and Red Funnel Moment of the Match 15 March 2025
The AJ Wells Man of the Match: Jack Davis
The Red Funnel Moment of the Match: Martin Wheeler
The Howden Insurance Supporter of the Day: Ange Newbery and Molly Ford
Coaches: Clive Cardwell-Hill, Todd Riches and Lewy Morton
Physio: Zoe Jones
Match Sponsors Ventnor RFC 2XV v Sandown and Shanklin RFC 2XV 15th March 2025
Many thanks to sponsors for the day – Howden Insurance and Wight Shipyard Co.
Composite image courtesy: Andrew Cooper Photography
Vote for your Ventnor Rugby Club Supporters’ Player of the Year 2024-25
With the end of the season approaching and the Ventnor Rugby Club Summer Ball and Awards Evening 2024-25 on the horizon, now is the time for regular spectators, please start thinking about the player who you would nominate and vote for your Supporters’ Player of the Year.
The Supporters’ Player of the Year 2024-25 Award will be presented to the player at the Ventnor RFC Summer Ball & Awards Evening, on Saturday 7th June 2025
Let me know who your vote goes to (please only ONE vote per person/supporter (additional votes from the same individual will be disregarded):
Vote for your Ventnor Rugby Club Supporters’ Player of the Year 2024-25 here
Composite image courtesy: Andrew Cooper Photography
Talking of the Ventnor Rugby Club Summer Ball and Awards Evening 2024-25. tickets are now available for this year’s Ventnor Rugby Club Summer Ball and Awards Evening which is being held on Saturday 7th June. Tickets are £45 each.
Best Regards
James
JAMES MORTON
Honorary Secretary, Ventnor RFC
T: 07901 938 317
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Related links:
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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