Match report Overton RFC 27-24 Ventnor RFC 1XV 7 February 2026

Match report Overton Rugby Club 27-24 Ventnor Rugby Club 1XV, Saturday 7 February 2026

Counties 3 Hampshire, Saturday 7 February 2026

Despite several regular starters being absent, Ventnor journeyed with a strong team to Overton who traditionally cause the Islanders grief on their travels. With the underfoot conditions not suiting Ventnor’s lighter squad, it turned out to be a very even game with the two sides swapping points throughout.

Ventnor shaded the tight contest with Riley Lloyd, Jewy Jones and Dan Lythgoe working hard in the set as well as in the loose and Lewy Morton and Jack Gilbey performing well in the line out.

Much of Ventnor’s early energy was spearheaded by the all-action Cody Hayman who had an outstanding game throughout and it was he and Harvey Wheeler that set up a position from which Lloyd piled over for an early score which Josh Ford converted.

The home team were using the conditions and the slope of the pitch to pin Ventnor back with long kicks and it was from such a position from which they mounted an attack which ended in a number of pick-and-gos to score an unconverted try to make the score 5 – 7.

But Ventnor looked the more likely winner at this point and to endorse this a powerful scrum led to Tom Scadden and Fred Fairman giving Alec Bulpitt an inch of space on the left that allowed the long-striding centre a run in from 30 metres out. Again Ford converted. 5 – 14.

But, just before half time, Overton scored a penalty when Ventnor were harshly adjudged to be offside and then followed this up with a try from a series of mauls on the visitor’s line. The try went unconverted so the score at the break was 13 – 14.

Ventnor rang the changes with Harry Bexon-Stone and George Collett coming on for Lloyd and Gilbey respectively. The Islanders were hampered by losing Max Wheeler with an ankle injury before kick-off meaning that eighteen-year-old debutant Pat Banks started in the back row. Despite his lack of experience at this level, Banks had a terrific debut and looks like a future star for Ventnor.

Ventnor started the second half with a try that had coach Clive Cardwell-Hill purring as Scadden kicked for position and Ventnor won the scrum. Hayman took it into contact and won the penalty from which Ford passed to Jones. Nothing was going to stop the rampaging hooker and he touched down to take the score out to 13 – 19.

But again Overton came back when Ventnor failed to clear deep in their territory and a line-out maul led to a converted try to snatch back the lead 20 – 19.

Ventnor were trying to stretch the tiring Overton defence and both wingers, Archie Lucy and Fairman, made inroads as Tom Branagh – hampered by a leg injury – took on the opposition in the midfield.

A penalty was awarded in Overton’s twenty-two and Morton took the option of a scrum. The ball was held in and good work by Collett and Banks gave Harvey Wheeler the chance to sprint down the wing to score in the right-hand corner to retake the lead. 20 – 24.

However, Overton had the last laugh as they launched a further siege on Ventnor’s line. Another harsh offside penalty was awarded and Bexon-Stone was yellow carded for good measure. Overton kept up the pressure and eventually touched down for a converted try to take the win 27 – 24.

Of course this was a big disappointment to Ventnor as they had come so close in very difficult conditions for a team that would much prefer harder ground to enable them to show their pace and handling skills.

But there was plenty to be encouraged by – none less so than the debut by Banks and the way in which every player gave their all to the cause.

Image: James Morton

Ventnor Rugby Club 1XV Team, 7 February 2026:  

Team:  Lloyd, Jones, D.Lythgoe, L.Morton (capt), Hayman, Gilbey, Banks, H.Wheeler, Ford, Scadden, Fairman, Branagh, Bulpitt, Lucy, H.Lythgoe. Subs: Bexon-Stone, Collett, M.Wheeler

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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 – Cody Hayman
The Red Funnel Moment of the Match – Max Wheeler
The Howden Insurance Supporter of the Day: James Morton

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

Physio: Sarah Watt

Match report: James Morton

Ventnor RFC 1XV – played 10, won 7, lost 3, points 38

Tottonians RFC 2XV – played 10, won 7, lost 3. points 34

Isle of Wight RFC – played 10, won 5, lost 5, points 30

Next Saturday Ventnor 1sts travel to play Winchester RFC 3rds and Ventnor 2nds travel to play Portsmouth RFC 3rds.

Best Regards

James

JAMES MORTON
Chairman Ventnor RFC
T: 07901 938 317

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