Ventnor Rugby Club News Update 24 March 2026
We’ve got plenty to celebrate so the Ventnor Rugby Club Dinner Dance and Awards Night is booked!
The Ventnor Rugby Club Dinner Dance and Awards 2025-26 Evening is booked for Saturday 13th June at The Ryde Castle Hotel, Esplanade, Ryde, Isle of Wight, PO33 1JA – view on Google Maps
£40 per head for a three course meal plus welcoming glass of bubbly. Disco, photo booth and gambling fun.
Book your tickets online. Don’t hesitate because places are limited.
Ventnor Rugby Club Dinner Dance and Awards 2025-26 Menu:
Starters
Ham hock and pea terrine (326 kcal)
King prawn and avocado brushetta with chill and coriander (544 kcal)
Mushrooms with garlic cream sauce on bubble and squeak V (319 kcal)
Sweet potato, chickpea and red pepper koftas VE (526 kcal))
Mains
All mains are served with a selection of vegetables and potatoes
Traditional roast beef with Yorkshire pudding (1,014 kcal)
Chicken fillet with white wine and mushroom sauce (1,122 kcal)
Salmon fillet with pan-fried king prawns and Hollandaise sauce (1,148 kcal)
Beetroot, sweet potato and butternut squash tart VE (733 kcal)
Butternut squash and cashew nut Wellington, topped with Brie V N (1,087 kcal)
Desserts
Afternoon tea cheesecake V (515 kcal)
Triple-chocolate brownie with clotted cream ice cream V (692 kcal)
Apple and blackberry crumble pie with custard V (756 kcal)
Procescco sorbet with berries VW (337 kcal)
Allergens: if you have specific allergens or intollerances please add these in the order notes at the checkout when ordering your tickets online in the club shop.
Ventnor Rugby Club Dinner Dance and Awards Evening 2025-26 Order of Service
4pm: Arrivals champagne and photos
5.20pm: Take your seats
5.30pm: Starters
6pm: Main course
6.45pm: Deserts
8pm: Auction: from The Rev
8.30pm: Casino
9pm: Disco until late
Overnight Accomodation
If you wish to book overnight accommodation to stay at The Ryde Castle Hotel please call them directly to book: 01983 563755
Plenty to Celebrate – Ventnor RFC 1XV Gain Promotion to Counties 2 Hampshire 2026-27 season
As I mentioned above, there’s plenty to celebrate as the Ventnor 1st XV gained promotion to Counties 2 Hampshire 2026-27 season, with that emphatic win against Portsmouth RFC 2nds on Saturday.
Tries by Harvey Wheeler (2), Tom Branagh (2), Josh Ford, Jason Coltham, Will Broomfield, Cody Hayman and Ed Blake plus six conversions added up to a 57 – 21 win.
After the game, head coach Damien Marriott had this to say.
“I’m massively proud of the lads today. We got the result by playing the kind of rugby we’ve wanted to build all season — fast, brave, and accurate. Our tempo caused them real problems and once we got into the game, they really struggled to live with us.
We moved the ball well, played with intent, and the boys fully backed the game plan. What pleased me most was that we also matched a much more physical pack and found a way to impose ourselves on the game.
We knew that would be a huge challenge coming in, but the lads stood up to it brilliantly. I want to congratulate every single player on securing promotion. We set that goal right back in the summer and the lads have been outstanding all season.
Their attitude, commitment, and willingness to keep improving week after week has been first class, and they thoroughly deserve this moment.
This is a special achievement for the group, but it’s one they’ve earned. I’m delighted for them”.
Damien Marriott, Coaching Consultant
Read the full match report here.
Many thanks to Analeigh for the post-match food and to Molly and Roly for looking after the bar.
Ventnor RFC Match Sponsors 21 March 2026
Ventnor RFC would like to thank their match sponsors for the day, namely:
The Isle of Wight Coffee Co, John Liddelow Financial Services, The Fradgley family, Lake Laundry Services Ltd, Lesley Hall, Nettlecombe Farm, No 64, Ryde, No 7 & Niton Post Office, Norris Family Grocers, Oven Wizards and Reynolds & Read Ltd.
Ventnor RFC 1XV Team, 21 March 2026
Team: Bexon-Stone, Jones, Rushton, Coltham, Hayman, L.Morton (capt), Broomfield, H.Wheeler, Ford, Butler, E.Blake, Branagh, M.Wheeler, Bulpitt, Crews. Subs: Lloyd, Coghlan, Souter
The A J Wells Man of the Man – Cody Hayman
The Red Funnel Moment of the Match – Jewy Jones and Max Wheeler
The Howden Insurance Supporter of the Day: Gary Freeston and Graham Simler
Coaches: Damien Marriott, Clive Cardwell-Hill, Todd Riches and Andy Teague
Physio: Sarah Watt
Match Report by James Morton
Ventnor Rugby Club Player Membership
Ventnor Rugby Club Player Membership is just £16 per month, with a range of benefits including exclusive use for players of the Ventnor Rugby Club Gym at Watcombe Bottom – sign-up to become a Ventnor Rugby Club Player
image courtesy: Ⓒ 2026: Andrew Cooper Sport Photography | Moral Rights Asserted | All Rights Reserved
Of course, the lads aren’t satisfied with promotion alone but want the Counties 3 Hampshire league 2025-26 championship as well – so the game on Saturday when the Isle of Wight RFC will be playing Ventnor RFC 1XV at Watcombe is absolutely crucial.
The loss at Wootton before Christmas brought Ventnor’s early season winning run to a shuddering halt so the squad are determined to put the record straight.
The kick off is at 2:30.
We’re having a VPs’ lunch to accompany this huge match. Spaces are going fast . . .
If you want to attend the lunch, let me know asap because it’s bound to be well attended.
image courtesy: Ⓒ2023-2026: Andrew Cooper Sport Photography | Moral Rights Asserted | All Rights Reserved
Ventnor RFC Oxford Shirt
You can now order your Ventnor RFC Oxford Shirt in long or short sleeve online.
Ventnor RFC 1XV Remaining Counties 3 Hampshire League Fixtures 2025-26
Ventnor RFC 1XV have just 2 league remaining fixtures for the Counties 3 Hampshire 2025-26 season:
March 2026
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
Jake Babington to run The London Marathon 2026 raising funds for Blood Cancer UK
A reminder that it’s getting close for Jake Babington is running the London Marathon 2026 and raising funds for Blood Cancer UK.
Jake’s fundraiser for Blood Cancer UK
Donate to Jake’s fundraiser for Blood Cancer UK – he’s running the London Marathon 2026 (Sunday 26th April)
image: Jake Babington
Best Regards
James
JAMES MORTON
Chairman Ventnor RFC
T: 07901 938 317
Book a PSA test with the Isle of Wight Prostate Cancer Support Group
Ventnor Rugby Club, Watcombe Bottom Sports Centre, Watcombe Bottom, Whitwell Road, Ventnor, Isle of Wight, PO38 1LP – view on Google Maps
what3words: ///harshest.debater.flipper
It is FREE to attend and watch Isle of Wight rugby games at Ventnor Rugby Club, of both teams. The clubhouse and bar are open on match days: Ventnor Rugby Club Fixtures
For information: Match Day FAQs
Become a Club Member
Please consider Ventnor Rugby Club Membership from £5p/m for a Ventnor RFC Vice President Membership – the club’s social membership (non-players).
Player Membership – £16 per month
Ventnor Rugby Club Player Membership is just £16 per month, with a range of benefits including exclusive use for players of the Ventnor Rugby Club Gym at Watcombe Bottom – sign-up to become a Ventnor Rugby Club Player
Dog are allowed – kept on a lead. Please ensure you clean up after your dog (DO NOT allow your dog/s to foul on playing fields).
All fixtures are subject to change or cancellation at short notice.
All fixtures are correct at the time of publication and given in good faith. E&OE.
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