Match report Ventnor RFC 2XV 63-17 Southampton RFC 2XV 1 November 2025

Match report Ventnor Rugby Club 2XV 63-17 Southampton Rugby Club 2XV Saturday 1 November 2025

Hampshire Premiership South League 2025-26 – Merit Table

Ventnor 2^nd XV went to the top of the Hampshire Premier South league with this convincing bonus-point victory over a strong and experienced Southampton side who never gave up despite an ever-growing scoreline against them.

Ventnor started strongly and the large crowd at Watcombe witnessed a terrific demonstration of straight running, passing and offloads with Joel Cocks making the first major inroads through the Southampton defence.

The ball was quickly recycled and Ross Harris, Sam Lines and Tom Crews were able to give Jack Davis an inch of space to power over.  Southampton came back immediately with a try from a lineout and were looking strong as they continued to gain possession and territory due to Ventnor’s old habit of giving away penalties.

The scrums were even, despite the visitors’ weight advantage but skipper Jack Rushton, Henrik Browan and debutant Riley Lloyd were holding their own and Gav Davis, Iain Reeves, Cody Hayman and Jack Gilbey were knocking back any attacks around the fringes.

From this pressure defence, Ventnor were able to find a foothold up field and Jack Davis weaved over for his second try. Left winger Olly Wood almost made the line when Ed Blake and Tom Crews combined before Blake himself scored wide out on the right after a strong break by Hayman.

Harris had to leave the field with a calf injury and Josh Ford came on and immediately announced himself with a try after a charge up field by Brown.

So at halftime the score was 20 -5.

Ventnor increased their lead as the second half started when Jack Davis caught Crews’ steepling kick and Ford went over for his second try. Then Jack Rushton scored the try his hard work deserved after Hayman – again – made the hard yards. Warren Riches converted to take the score to 32 -5.

Then Blake touched down after he ran a kick back from his own half and then combined with Ford and Will Broomfield before crashing over for his second try. The Islanders scored their eighth try when Tony Jacobson and Fred Fairman combined brilliantly down the left and Fairman powered over the line.

Crews converted before Jack Davis claimed his hat-trick after Brown rescued a retreating scrum and Lines picked the right pass to give him that inch of space that his power and pace needed. 

To their credit, Southampton never conceded an inch and, with Callum Martin bolstering their side, were able to score after a blind side break at a scrum. And they threatened again and it took some stern defence from the ubiquitous Gilbey, Sean Frampton and Luke Starkey to keep them out before Broomfield redressed the balance with a typical powerful burst after Blake took a quick tap penalty. Crews converted.

Southampton regrouped to score an excellent team try before Broomfield repeated the dose and burst through for his second which Ford calmly converted with a drop goal. 

The final whistle went with the score 63 – 17.

Image: James Morton

This statement win takes Ventnor 2^nd XV to the top of their league whilst Ventnor’s 1^st team head Hampshire Counties Three – an unprecedented double. 

Ventnor Rugby Club 2XV Team, 1 November 2025:  

Ventnor RFC 2XV Team:

Rushton (capt), Brown, Lloyd,  I.Reeves, Cocks, Hayman, Gilbey, G.Davis, Harris, Lines, Wood, J.Davis, Crews. E.Blake, W.Riches. Subs: Cooper, Starkey, Fairman, Jacobson, S.Frampton, Broomfield, Martin, Ford.

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

The A J Wells Man of the Man – Jack Gilbey
The Red Funnel Moment of the Match – Ben Cooper
The Howden Insurance Supporter of the Day: Harvey Wheeler

Coaches: Clive Cardwell-Hill, Andy Teague and Todd Riches

Physio: Todd Connor

Match report: James Morton

Ventnor Rugby Club would like to thank all their Player Sponsors 2025-26, namely:

Sports Massage Therapy, Social Solutions, Refined Spaces, On / Off Road Repairs, Kevin Coghlan Plant & Transport Ltd, Rees Advanced Marine, Cortney’s Care, Romax Carpentry and Joinery Ltd, Maria Claridge Health and Wellbeing, TJW Carpentry Ltd, Ollie Fulljames, Precise Detailing, TJ’s Gym and Fitness Studio, Beauty, The Stemmet Family, Chris Cardwel-Hill, Corporate Furniture & Interiors Ltd, KW Performance, Kingswell Heavy Haulage Ltd, Redhead and Roberts Ltd, Bob the Log, GAR Training Services, MBS Sheep, Empty Quick Wet Waste Solutions, Ford Search Partners, Forging Stronger People, Childcare by Emily and FF Scaffolding.

Next Saturday (8^th November), Ventnor 1^st XV travel to Eastleigh RFC whilst Ventnor 2nds entertain Christchurch RFC at Watcombe. 

Best Regards

James

JAMES MORTON
Chairman Ventnor RFC
T: 07901 938 317

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