Match report Ventnor RFC 1XV 57-10 Overton RFC 7 March 2026

Match report Ventnor Rugby Club 1XV 57-10 Overton Rugby Club Saturday 7 March 2026

Counties 3 Hampshire, Saturday 7 March 2026

Ventnor RFC 1sts began the day top of the Counties 3 Hampshire league 2025-26 table looking to continue their strong season when they came up against an Overton RFC looking to avenge the loss on their away trip just a month before.

Ventnor invited some pressure at the start but worked the ball up the pitch well from a kick-and-chase from Josh Ford with Max Wheeler and Jack Gilbey charging down causing panic at the back and Overton to knock on.

Ventnor then began to play the rugby we’ve seen throughout the season, with brilliant phase play and working it out wide only to cut back in and for Harvey Wheeler to find a gap to run through to place down for the first try of the game which was converted by Ford.

Ventnor were solid in the scrum throughout the day with Dan Lythgoe, Lewis Jones and Jack Rushton leading the pack and the pressure continued when Joe Coghlan worked the ball back inside for Will Broomfield to power through four players reluctant to take down the charging figure to make it two tries to Vennor.

The home team’s ruthless attack was on the front foot again when Jason Coltham and Lewis Morton made powering runs to break through the defense once more allowing the ball to work its way out to Tom Branagh for another try.

Overton saw the opportunity to get some points on the board after an infringement saw them kick for the posts just before half time.

Josh Ford managed to squeeze in one last try before the break after Ventnor worked the ball out with the overlap showing, powered through for the finish. 

Half Time: Ventnor 22 – 3 Overton

The second half started brightly with Ventnor on the front foot again when Havey Wheeler saw the opportunity for a kick up the pitch, followed by a powering chase and pop to Pat Banks for a try on his Watcombe debut. This was soon followed by another kick and chase from Branagh in which the centre not only tackled the catcher but somehow managed to rob the ball and pile over for his second try of the day.

Max Wheeler was next to get on the scoresheet with a powering run out wide to touch down for Ventnor’s seventh try of the game.

1st XV debutant Tony Jacobson was next to get on the score sheet after Tom Crews worked the ball wide to allow the tall winger over for his first try for Ventnor.

Ventnor weren’t finished there, with a further success when Archie Lucy powered through with Riley Lloyd supporting the run to put down for his second try in Ventnor colours.

Overton were not letting up too easily and managed to get themselves a consolation try right at the end to round off a successful day at Watcombe for the Ventnor squad having scored nine tries in all with Ford adding six conversions.

Full time Ventnor 57 – 10 Overton.

Image: James Morton

Ventnor Rugby Club 1XV Team, 28 February 2026:  

Team: Rushton, Jones, D.Lythgoe, Broomfield, Coltham, Gilbey, L.Morton (capt), H.Wheeler, Coghlan, Ford, Jacobson, Branagh, M.Wheeler, E.Blake.  Subs: Lloyd, Banks, Crews

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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 – Josh Ford
The Red Funnel Moment of the Match – Pat Banks
The Howden Insurance Supporter of the Day: Gavin Ford

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

Match report: Ewan Castle

Ventnor 2nd XV will be raring to go after having their home game against Isle of Wight 2XV postponed due to the visitors’ lack of players. They face a home fixture against US Portsmouth which is the rearranged fixture from last week. 

Ventnor 1st XV will be next in action on 21st March when they take on Portsmouth RFC 2nds at Watcombe in the Counties 3 Hampshire League.

Ventnor RFC 1XV Remaining Counties 3 Hampshire League Fixtures 2025-26

Ventnor RFC 1XV have just 3 league remaining fixtures for the Counties 3 Hampshire 2025-26 season, after yesterday’s home fixture to Alton RFC

March 2026
Saturday 21 Mar 2026 Counties 3 Hampshire Ventnor RFC v Portsmouth RFC 2XV

Saturday 28 Mar 2026 Counties 3 Hampshire Ventnor RFC 1XV v Isle Of Wight RFC – Vice Presidents’ Lunch

April 2026
Saturday 11 Apr 2026 Counties 3 Hampshire Aldershot & Fleet RFC v Ventnor RFC

plus their Hampshire Counties 3 and Below Plate 2025-26 Quarter Final fixture:

May 2026

Saturday 2 May 2026 Hampshire Counties 3 and Below Plate 2025-26 Quarter Final

Old Glynonians RFC v Ventnor RFC Community South Cup Plate 2025-26 Quarter Finals

Match Sponsors Saturday 7 March 2026

As ever, we must thank Ventnor Rugby Club’s match sponsors for Saturday’s game, namely:

The Sea Pot, The Smoking Lobster, The Spyglass, The True Food Kitchen, The Two Cooks, The Volunteer, Ventnor Haven Fishery, Ventnor Rotary Club, Whitwell Garage, Wight Fire & Security and Yates’ Brewery

Jake Babington to run The London Marathon 2026 raising funds for Blood Cancer UK

Best Regards

James

JAMES MORTON
Chairman Ventnor RFC
T: 07901 938 317

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