Match report Ventnor RFC 2XV 29-28 Fawley RFC 2XV 11 October 2025

Match report Ventnor Rugby Club 2XV 29-28 Fawley Rugby Club 2XV Saturday 11 October 2025

Hampshire Premiership South League 2025-26 – Merit Table

Still fresh from the summer hiatus following last weekend’s walkover, captain Jack Rushton headed a strong squad with a blend of new talent and returning experience as Ventnor 2s hosted a young and energetic Fawley side at Watcombe Bottom in front of a well assembled audience of spectators.

Ventnor came out of the blocks early and pressed the visitors into some entrenched defensive positions. Some crafty interplay in the centre freed a returning Charlie Magnurson who capitalised to get Ventnor off the mark. The windy conditions hampered the conversion attempt but Ventnor were buoyed nonetheless.

Ventnor showed heart, regardless. Half time words from Clive Cardwell-Hill reiterated the game plan and a re-energised Bob Parker took the game by the scruff of the neck, whilst Luke Buttler commanded the middle of the park, but it may have looked for a time that this would be in vain as Fawley extended their lead on the break once more, leaving Ventnor with a mountain to climb at 5-21.

But Ventnor don’t like things to be made easy. Full of heart, some combination play off the training ground paid dividends and created an overload that a crafty Sam Lines took advantage of which lifted the hosts tremendously. Callum Martin and debutant Luke Starkey took to the field for Ventnor. The atmosphere was bubbling on the sideline which carried onto the pitch as the stakes rose. Minutes later a toe-twinkling Ross Harris rolled back the years to dance his way in for the hosts to score. This was emphatically converted by an evergreen Warren Riches. A comeback was in the air.

As resolves hardened, Ventnor lay everything on the line, including their bodies. Another blow to Ventnor saw Tim Davis require replacing after teasing the spectators with a hard drive toward that elusive try line. But it was a returning Grant Richardson who rolled back the years with a try that jumpstarted Ventnor battling lead. 24-21 and a plethora of tension.

Ventnor and Fawley traded blows but Grant Richardson was at it again, doubling down on a terrific return with his second try for the home side. Fawley toiled to no avail as the defensive work rate for Ventnor shone brightly, embodied by cardio machines Ed Blake and Tony Jacobson. The final minutes were seen out and Ventnor ended the battle with a 29-28 win which was appropriate given the class and steel shown throughout the clash.

Full time 29-28

Image: Sam Frampton

Ventnor Rugby Club 2XV Team, 11 October 2025:  

Rushton (capt), Brown, Ball, N.Frampton, S.Frampton, D.Reeves, B.Parker, C.Magnurson, Harris, Butler, Jacobson, Lines, E.Blake, Castle, W.Riches.  Subs: Starkey, I.Reeves, T.Davis, Richardson, Excell

Ventnor Rugby Club Player Membership

Ventnor Rugby Club Player Membership is just £16 per month, with a range of benefits including exclusive use for players of the Ventnor Rugby Club Gym at Watcombe Bottom – sign-up to become a Ventnor Rugby Club Player

image courtesy: Ⓒ 2026: Andrew Cooper Sport Photography | Moral Rights Asserted | All Rights Reserved

The A J Wells Man of the Man – Luke Butler
The Red Funnel Moment of the Match – Ewan Castle
The Howden Insurance Supporter of the Day: Mike and Carrie Flanagan

Coaches: Clive Cardwell-Hill

Physio: Todd Connor

Match report: Sam Frampton

Ventnor Rugby Club Fixtures Saturday 18th October 2025:

Best Regards

James

JAMES MORTON
Chairman Ventnor RFC
T: 07901 938 317

---