Match report Fordingbridge Rugby Club XV 45-15 Ventnor Rugby Club XV friendly Saturday 4 April 2026
Friendly
Ventnor 2XV travelled with twelve players and borrowed three from the opposition for this friendly against Fordingbridge RFC XV for a game which was full of open rugby and no little skill.
Ventnor 2XV opened the scoring when Olly Wood ran a kick back so that Max Henley could link with Tom Scadden who broke through and offloaded to the supporting Pat Banks to score.
Fordingbridge, realising they were in a game, began to bring their big forwards into the action and started to take command despite outstanding defensive work from skipper Jack Gilbey and Charlie Sutton.
It was 21 – 5 before Ventnor scored again at a period when the Islanders began to show some real form. Ed Blake made ground and Henrik Brown continued the move.
Blake Tombleson recycled the ball and Scadden took it on before passing inside for Joel Cocks to crash over. Warren Riches attempted conversion thumped the bar as the halftime whistle blew. 21 – 10.
The second half was clearly dominated by Fordingbridge as they began combining their power game with their skill sets in the backs despite some spirited defence by Adam Wade, Wood, Scadden and Henley.
Banks scored his second try after Brown and Gilbey combined well after a lineout but the home team finished with a flourish to take the final score out to 45 – 15.
Image: James Morton
Ventnor RFC 2XV Team, 4 April 2026
Team: Cocks, Brown, Miles, Tombleson, David, Gilbey (capt), Sutton, Banks, Henley, Scadden, Wood, Tyler, E.Blake, Wade, W.Riches
The A J Wells Man of the Man – Joel Cocks
The Red Funnel Moment of the Match – Tom Scadden
The Howden Insurance Supporter of the Day: Callum T S Martin
Coach: Clive Cardwell-Hill
Physio: Amelia
Match Report by James Morton
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image courtesy: Ⓒ 2026: Andrew Cooper Sport Photography | Moral Rights Asserted | All Rights Reserved
Image: James Morton
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James
JAMES MORTON
Chairman Ventnor RFC
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