By Isle of Wight Observer
Ventnor 2nd XV lost 29-14 to a strong Fareham Heathens side in the Hampshire Premiership (South). Nathan Frampton, Luke Steele, Ben Cooper and the abrasive player-of-the-match, Tom Smith, were robust in defence for the Islanders. Skipper, Jack Rushton, Henryk Brown and Chris Skelley imposed their power in the scrums.
Alex Morton controlled line-outs, while Rosco Harris, in the scrum, fed the ever-improving Harry Ottley and his backline. Forced substitutions saw Max Wheeler, Iain Reeves and the pink-headgear of Tim Davis join the fray. Before the break, Harris took a quick penalty to feed Will Bloomfield to drive over, with Ottley converting for Ventnor to go off 7-12 behind.
Further changes introduced Jack Gilbey into the scrum, with Brad Francis and Tristan Price making brief interventions. Late in the match, full-back Fred Fairman cut through a tiring Fareham defence to be tackled short of the line, but soon the Islanders saw Harvey Wheeler pick up the ball in the opposition 22, and pass to Will Bloomfield to score his second try. With another clinical conversation from Harry Ottley, the match ended 14-19. Despite this defeat the Island side is improving game to game and the team spirit is indomitable.
This weekend sees Sandown & Shanklin Hurricanes welcome Bognor in Counties One, Isle of Wight travel to Chichester II in Counties Two, and Ventnor’s 1 XV visit Portsmouth 2nds. Ventnor II XV entertain Chichester III XV at Watcombe Bottom, with Sandown II XV home to Millbrook II.