Match report Ventnor Rugby Club 1XV 64-12 Aldershot and Fleet Rugby Club 1XV Saturday 4 October 2025
With a very encouraging pre-season behind them, it was now time for Ventnor to find out whether their optimism was warranted as they took to the field against a powerful Aldershot and Fleet team at Watcombe.
Image: James Morton
With the strong winds of Storm Amy at their backs, the home team took an immediate territory advantage but some over ambitious passing let them down while they found their range.
Once they did, with Luke Butler, at fly-half, orchestrating the moves, it became one-way traffic as Max Wheeler, Tom Branagh and Tom Crews put Josh Braham over for the first try which Crews converted.
Then Branagh grabbed his first with a powerful run before skipper Lewy Morton unselfishly put Jason Coltham over for a third. Hayden Lythgoe was the next beneficiary of slick passing to race in down the left to touch down for Ventnor’s fourth.
With Jack Rushton, Lewis Jones and Dan Lythgoe providing a solid scrum and Morton and Joe Coghlan ruling the airways at the lineout, Ventnor were getting plenty of ball for Ben Souter to distribute and some close-in play provided Jacob Jordan a chance to show his power and pace to score twice before Braham and Branagh grabbed two more to reach halftime with the incredible score of 52 – 0.
The large crowd at Watcombe knew that things would become more difficult in the second half with the wind behind the opposition but it was still Ventnor that scored first as Harvey Wheeler, Jones and Will Broomfield used their power to gain territory and provide clean ball for Butler to put Branagh over for his hat-trick.
By this time Dan Lythgoe had had to leave the field with a rib injury and the all-action pairing of George Collett and Jack Gilbey had come on to provide the support that Ventnor’s power-running game demanded.
The Islanders’ defence was tested as the opposition began to dominate territory with their kicking game and they managed a couple of tries from close in before a sweeping move upfield put Branagh in for his fourth try to finish the game.
In all Ventnor scored ten tries with Tom Crews converting seven of them despite the difficult conditions.
Coach Damien Marriott said after the game:
“Really proud of the lads today. We spoke in pre-season about setting standards, and this performance showed what happens when we bring energy, accuracy and discipline. From the first whistle we controlled territory, stuck to our structures, and played with real intent.
The forwards gave us a great platform and the backs finished clinically — exactly the balance we’ve been working towards. Plenty of positives, but also areas to tighten up defensively as we build consistency.
Massive credit to everyone in the squad for their effort and intensity. We’ll enjoy the win, but our focus now turns to backing it up next week”.
Damien Marriott, Coach
Image: James Morton
Ventnor Rugby Club 1XV Team, 4 October 2025:
Rushton, Jones, D. Lythgoe, L. Morton (capt), Coltham, Coghlan, Jordan, H. Wheeler, Souter, Butler, H. Lythgoe, M. Wheeler, Branagh, Braham, Crews. Subs: Collett, Broomfield, Gilbey,
The A J Wells Man of the Man – Tom Branagh
The Red Funnel Moment of the Match – Hayden Lythgoe
The Howden Insurance Supporter of the Day: Steve Cooper (the Mayor of Ventnor) and Lucy
Coaches: Damien Marriott, Clive Cardwell-Hill, Todd Riches, Andy Teague and Dean Magnurson
Physio: Sarah Watt
Match Sponsors Ventnor RFC 1st XV v Aldershot and Fleet RFC Saturday 4th October 2025
As ever we thank our match sponsors – A J Wells and Sons, Alan Whitehouse, Barry Pike, Bonchurch Garage, Dean Magnurson, E3S Consulting, Fergus Kenny, Howden Insurance, Ian Wilson, James Morton, The Flower Garden and Ventnor Town Council.
Ventnor Rugby Club Fixtures Saturday 11th October 2025
Next Saturday 11th October, Ventnor 1sts travel to Ellingham and Ringwood 2nds
while Ventnor 2nds are at Watcombe against Fawley 2nds.
This Saturday, Ventnor 2nds game away to Ellingham and Ringwood was cancelled due to the opposition not being able to field a team. Ventnor 2nds are awarded the five points
Match report: James Morton
Best Regards
James
JAMES MORTON
Chairman Ventnor RFC
T: 07901 938 317
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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