Match report Ventnor RFC 1XV 64-0 Lymington Mariners RFC Hampshire Plate Round 3 31 January 2026

Match report Ventnor Rugby Club 1XV 64-0 Lymington Mariners Rugby Club Hampshire Plate Round 3, Saturday 31 January 2026

Hampshire Counties 3 and Below Plate 2025-26, Round 3, Saturday 31 January 2026

Ventnor were back on form with a comprehensive victory against Lymington Mariners who never gave up despite a mounting score against them. The signs looked good for the home team when the first scrum was taken against the head but some needless penalties hampered their progress until Josh Ford took them ball up the short-side and Alec Bulpitt made rapid progress before offloading to Tom Branagh who fed Harvey Wheeler for the No 8 to canter in under the posts. Ford converted – his first of seven throughout the game.

Lymington were under severe pressure and their scrumhalf was yellow carded for a second deliberate knock-on and Ventnor attacked from the short penalty.

The ball moved right and left before a ruck near the line saw Jack Rushton pick up and score. Astonishingly he was at it again a few minutes later after another tap penalty which saw Jewy Jones and Dan Lythgoe take the ball close until the arch-poacher dotted down for his second.

Bulpitt was having an outstanding game in which he made metres with every run and it was he that set up Ford for Ventnor’s fourth try. Cody Hayman then made some inroads into Lymington’s defence to allow Harvey Wheeler in for his second try before some great linking play by Ventnor’s second row – Lewy Morton and Jason Cotham – made space for Ben Souter and Bulpitt who passed inside for Tom Branagh to touch down. Halftime came with the score at 38 – 0.

The second half kicked off with changes as Riley Lloyd, Will Broomfield and Max Wheeler came on but the pressure on Lymington remained relentless even after Hayman was yellow carded for offside. Hayden Lythgoe got Ventnor going again with some great work in the back field, collecting a loose ball and making ground before Tom Scadden saw a gap in the defensive line and streak through from thirty metres out.

Then it was Branagh again, this time barrelling his way through the opposition for his second try.

This was soon followed by a kick ahead by Harvey Wheeler which he chased down with Joe Coghlan before Ford flicked out an inside pass for Archie Lucy to score a well-deserved try on his first start for Ventnor’s 1st XV.

Then Lucy returned the favour after good work by Broomfield and Max Wheeler, selflessly passing the ball to Coghlan to touch down to complete the scoring. 64 – 0

After the game, Ventnor’s coaches were as pleased with the pointless score to Lymington as they were for the return of the fluid attack that has been lacking in the last two outings.

Ventnor would like to thank Lymington for the respect they showed to mark the recent loss of Tristan ‘Beast’ Price by their bringing over a Lymington playing shirt with the No 1 and Price printed on the back. This was held by the two captains before kick-off at a minute’s silence on the occasion of Beast’s birthday.

Ventnor are now through to the quarter finals of the Community Cup South Plate competition. That match will be played on 2nd May.

Next Saturday Ventnor 1sts travel to Overton RFC in Counties Three Hampshire league whilst Ventnor’s 2nds travel to Fawley RFC in Counties 6 South Hampshire Merit Tables 2025-26 league game

Talking of the Counties 3 Hampshire League, Ventnor RFC 1XV remain top of the Counties 3 Hampshire League 2025-26 Table (as at 31-01-2025), with a two point lead over Tottonians RFC 2XV and Isle of Wight RFC (who have moved up to third), but Ventnor RFC 1XV have one game-in-hand advantage over both teams.

Ventnor RFC 1XV – played 9, won 7, lost 2, points 36

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

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

Image: Amy Page

Ventnor Rugby Club 1XV Team, 31 January 2026:  

Team:  Rushton, Jones, D.Lythgoe, L.Morton (capt), Coltham, Hayman, Coghlan, H.Wheeler, Ford, Scadden, Bulpitt, Branagh, H.Lythgoe, Lucy, Souter. Subs: Lloyd, Broomfield and M.Wheeler

The A J Wells Man of the Man – Tom Scadden and Alec Bulpitt
The Red Funnel Moment of the Match – Josh Ford
The Howden Insurance Supporter of the Day: The Frampton Triplets

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

Physio: Sarah Watt

Fareham Heathens RFC 2XV v Ventnor RFC 2XV 31 January 2026 – postponed

Ventnor’s 2^nd XV away game to Fareham Heathens RFC 2XV of 31 January 2026 was called off due to the pitch at Fareham Heathens being under water so has been posponed.

Ventnor RFC 2XV’s away game to Fareham Heathens RFC 2XV has been rescheduled to 21 February 2026

Match report: James Morton

Best Regards

James

JAMES MORTON
Chairman Ventnor RFC
T: 07901 938 317

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