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WINNING END TO SEASON

Friday, April 25, 2008
Ventnor RFC 43, Millbrook RFC II 7
VENTNOR ended their season with another win, this time over visitors Millbrook.
Millbrook scored first after only ten minutes of play but the home side responded positively with a try from Adkins. Ventnor kept up the pressure and Tim MacAdam, recently returned to the side, scored from inside centre.
Ventnor switched play across the park with a series of quick rucks disrupting the defence, which allowed C. Aicheson to spot a gap close to the breakdown and power over from five yards for a converted try.
The home team led 17-7 going into half time, but Millbrook were not giving any ground. Good work from the restart allowed their forwards to gain control of the ball, but Ventnor’s defence held fast.
In reply to this, Ventnor upped their performance and once again went wide to create space and send Jim McGovern in to score on the wing.
Chris Dobbas added another try, converted by Marriott, who then further boosted the scoresheet by supporting a break from Cooper on the wing and kicking the conversion.
In the final phase of the game, Todd Riches completed the scoring.

FIRST TASTE OF INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION
VECTIS under-tens, under-12s, and under-14s came second for their age groups at the Disneyland Paris rugby tour earlier this month.
The festival incorporated coaching sessions by ex-British Lions, including Scotland’s Andy Nicol and Wales’ Robert Jones, and games between English and French sides.
For the under-tens, their first game was against Kings Horford, which they lost 5-3, while their second game against French side Lagnby A ended in a draw.
Their confidence grew in the third game with a thoroughly deserved 2-0 win over a French B side.
Day Two began much like the first, with a loss against Kings Horford, again a close match ending 4-2. But Vectis turned the tables against Pontault, coming back from 3-1 down to win 4-3.
Game six was a comprehensive Vectis win over Val D’Europe, winning 9-1, but their final game, again against Kings Horford, ended in a 5-1 loss.
Will Vaughan capped an exemplary performance by getting man of the match for day two and also the Disney Cap for Vectis player of the tournament.
For the under-12s, they travelled with a small squad of 16 and secured second place in the Benjamins tournament for under-12s and under-13s.
Vectis played seven games — winning five, drawing one and losing one — and scored an impressive 28 tries.
The Vectis under-14s had a successful start with a 10-7 win over Blaydon and a 15-5 win over Lagny. Their second Blaydon match ended in a 10-0 loss, but revenge was sweet as they beat the side in a friendly 54-5.
Their next French opponents were Val D'Europe, whom they beat 27-5, although the victory was marred by a twisted ankle to Findlay Lockhart.
Their toughest match was reserved to the end.
On arrival to Pontault Combault, Vectis learned they beat Blaydon 37-0, but the side battled to the end and eventually lost 10-8.
Following the festival, trophies and gifts were handed to many Vectis players by Andy Nicol, who had coached them throughout the festival.
Martin Yates, manager of the under-14s and tour organiser, said: “I would like to congratulate all Vectis children for their behaviour while on tour and I have also been asked to pass on the congratulations of the three French clubs for our fair play during all matches.”
The club was sponsored by Wightlink, KHS Brown Dental Surgeon and Wiltons of Shanklin for the trip.
• Pictures, plus more rugby, in the Friday, April 25, County Press.