Match report Aldershot & Fleet Rugby Club 2XV v Ventnor Rugby Club 1XV 5 April 2025
Counties 3 Hampshire
Ventnor’s habit of letting games slip through their grasp was in evidence in this encounter at Aldershot & Fleet RFC.
As this was their last game of the season, Ventnor travelled with a group of vocal supporters who watched their team struggle at the beginning of the game as the Aldershot and Fleet RFC scrummage won a penalty, set up an attack close to Ventnor’s line and scored from a no 8 pick-up off another dominant scrum.
This wake-up call seemed to motivate the Islanders and Ed Blake at flyhalf began to use the boot to gain territory while George Collett, Jewy Jones and Dan Lythgoe sorted out the scrum.
Alec Bulpitt and Fred Fairman combined well in the centres and Ventnor’s pressure caused Aldershot and Fleet RFC to get on the wrong side of the referee’s whistle. Joe Coghlan saw a gap with a tap penalty and Lewy Morton’s pass put Lythgoe into space and he battered his way over for a try that Blake converted.
Ventnor now led 5 – 7 and this stayed the same deep into the second half during which time they were able to stamp their authority on the game although Aldershot and Fleet RFC had their moments and it took try-saving tackles from Olly Wood, Jack Gilbey and Coghlan to keep the Islanders in the lead.
Morton and skipper Ben Savill once again did well in the lineout which provided plenty of good possession but runners were getting isolated and support players were flopping off their feet at rucks and the referee’s whistle started to dominate the game.
This seemed to effect Ventnor’s rhythm and kicks were suddenly finding opposition runners and inviting pressure back on their line. Ben Souter did well as the last line of defence but the tide broke through in the end and the home team scored two late tries to snatch the victory 17 – 7.
Departing skipper, Ben Savill, thanked his developing squad for their efforts throughout the season and encouraged all Ventnor players to ramp up their commitment to the cause so as to fulfil the successful future that the players’ talent merited.
Image: James Morton
Ventnor 1XV Team: Collett, Jones, Lythgoe, Coltham, N. Frampton, Gilbey, L. Morton, Savill (capt), Coghlan, E. Blake, Martin, Fairman, Bulpitt, Wood, Souter. Subs: Fox, Brown, S. Frampton
Ventnor RFC 1XV Match Awards 5th April 2025
The AJ Wells Man of the Match: Lewy Morton
The Red Funnel Moment of the Match: Ben Savill
The Howden Insurance Supporter of the Day: Warren Riches and Dean Magnurson
Coaches: Clive Cardwell-Hill, Todd Riches and Dean Magnurson
Match Report by James Morton
Ventnor RFC Summer Ball and Awards 2024-25
Composite image courtesy: Andrew Cooper Photography
Don’t forget to get your tickets for the Ventnor RFC Summer Ball and Awards Night 2024-25 on Saturday 7th June.
Get your tickets
Click on this link for the menu and the what you can look forward to on the night. Tickets are £45 per person.
Vote for your Ventnor Rugby Club Supporters’ Player of the Year 2024-25
Image courtesy: Isle of Wight Rugby Photographer Andrew Cooper Photography
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.
VRFC supporters please vote for your player of the year. He can be from the 1st or 2nd XV.
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):
Contact me direct or Vote for your Ventnor Rugby Club Supporters’ Player of the Year 2024-25 here
Best Regards
James
JAMES MORTON
Honorary Secretary, Ventnor RFC
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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All fixtures are subject to change or cancellation at short notice.