Match report Fawley RFC 2XV 29-12 Ventnor RFC 2XV 13 December 2025

Match report Fawley Rugby Club 2XV 29-12 Ventnor Rugby Club 2XV 13 December 2025

Hampshire Premiership South League 2025-26 – Merit Table, Saturday 13 December 2025

In the absence of skipper Jack Rushton (away once more on 1st team duty) Warren Riches again stepped into the breach to lead a strong 2nd team squad on the trip across the Solent to Fawley, who would be keen to avenge their narrow defeat at Ventnor earlier in the season.

Some late withdrawals from the squad led to some frantic, last minute, phone calls while the team were waiting to board the Red Jet and as the crossing was delayed due to earlier visibility problems the summoned cavalry were able to join the party.

With a bare 30 minutes to prepare on arrival at Fawley the early preparations were not ideal but the first 20 minutes of the game were scoreless as both teams tested each other out and also tried to keep on the good side of the referee. The Ventnor cause had a severe setback when Ed Blake failed to do this and received a red card having reacted to being issued with a yellow for dissent.

The early scrummages were disrupted by a series of penalties but the Ventnor front row of Ian Reeves, Henrik Brown and Grant Richardson held their own, backed up by Sean Frampton and Ewan Castle in the boiler room.

In the re-shuffled back row, no.8 Will Broomfield with flankers Cory Turner and Cody Hayman were busy everywhere with Broomfield and Frampton in particular catching the eye with some driving runs.

Having lost Blake in the 12th minute it wasn’t until the 19th that Fawley managed to secure quick ball from one of the un-penalised scrums to manufacture enough space for their backs to score out wide. 5-0.

Another Fawley score shortly afterwards following a period of sustained pressure from their pack enabled them to muscle their way over close to the posts, making the conversion a formality. 12-0

With the 20 minute red card (!) time up, Josh Ford entered the fray to go in at fly-half with original 10 Harry Otley moving to inside centre. Dylan Gray at centre made way for Hayden Lythgoe and the backs , with good service from scrum-half Ben Souter started causing problems for the Fawley mid-field and consistently got over the gain line but several promising attacks failed with the last pass not going to hand or the ball being turned over in the tackle.

Ventnor were unfortunate to concede a fairly soft try shortly before halftime when some questionable tackling enabled Fawley to take advantage of space out wide again and a good, long range, conversion meant that Fawley led at the break 19-0.

There were promising signs in the first half that if Ventnor could just string some phases together they would trouble the Fawley defence but the second half started in the worst fashion when a knock-on from the kick-off gifted Fawley an attacking position in mid-field and a jinking run from one of their centres led to another try. The conversion was unsuccessful 24-0.

The Ventnor response was commendable in that they dominated territory and possession for the next 20 minutes with wingers Luke Starkey and Ollie Wood getting into the action after good mid-field work from Ford, Lythgoe and Otley.

In defence, skipper Riches was proving very reliable under the probing “up and unders” being drilled his way. Ventnor lost Castle to injury, enabling the ever-willing Callum Martin to replace him and he came on as flanker with Broomfield moving to second row and Hayman to no.8.

The combined Ventnor pressure resulted in a yellow card for Fawley and the visitors immediately took advantage of the extra man when a period of sustained good handling and keeping the ball alive allowed Broomfield to barrel his way over for a well-deserved try. Ford added the extras (with the help of the woodwork) and Ventnor were up and running. 24-7.

Wood then made way for Blake Tombleson on the wing and the home side thought they had scored a try following a short lineout catch and drive, only for the try to be disallowed for “bad attitude”! A let off for Ventnor but Fawley were able to capitalise shortly afterwards, again following a short lineout to lead 29-7.

Fawley then went down to 14 men after the referee issued another red card and again Ventnor made the most of this when a clearance penalty kick from Fawley failed to find touch and some creative footwork from Ford put the hard-working Richardson over for a very well deserved try.

Final score 29-12.

Ventnor will take away a lot of positives from this result, even in defeat. The late team reshuffle, followed by delays in travel did nothing to dampen the team’s spirit or their desire to play rugby. As the players grew in confidence through the second half, and got a better understanding of playing together, some of the handling and continuity was outstanding and is something to build on. They will look forward to entertaining Tottonians in their next game at home on December 20th.

Image: Clive Cardwell-Hill

Ventnor Rugby Club 2XV Team, 13 December 2025:  

Ventnor RFC 2XV Team:- Ed Blake, Henrik Brown, Will Broomfield, Ewan Castle, Josh Ford, Dylan Gray, Sean Frampton,Cody Hayman, Hayden Lythgoe, Callum Martin, Harry Otley, Warren Riches (capt), Iain Reeves, Grant Richardson, Ben Souter, Luke Starkey, Blake Tombleson, Cory Turner, Ollie Wood

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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 – Grant Richardson
The Red Funnel Moment of the Match – Ed Blake (for not getting on the ref’s Christmas card list)

Physio and First Aid Sarah Watt
Coach and Scribe Clive Cardwell Hill

Match report by Clive Cardwell Hill

Best Regards

James

JAMES MORTON
Chairman Ventnor RFC
T: 07901 938 317

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