RUGBYVentnor 41, Locksheath Pumas 7
WITH eight regular first team players missing, Ventnor thought they might drop valuable points in this fixture but emerged comfortably victorious.
The players drafted in were outstanding and with tries from Tom Engelgardt, Ross Harris, two, Gary Freeston, Sam Lines, Mike Walker and Jim Pemberton, this was truly a team effort.
The forwards were dominant, winning scrums and driving the maul 20 metres at a time.
Gary Ball, Freeston and Pemberton showed cohesion and aggression and were prepared to release the backs at the correct moment.
Locksheath competed well throughout but were mainly on the back foot, which made progress difficult. The forward dominance of the Ventnor was demonstrated by the fact that two tries were scored by driving over the Locksheath line. In the backs a dodging run through the middle by Sam Lines with a great side-step released Ross Harris to score and in the second half a sweeping handling move, rounded off by Lines by a 20 metre run which had the opposition grasping at shadows. Fergus Kenny kicked three conversions.
The Wightlink man of the match was wing forward Gary Ball and the A. J. Wells Black Dog award was given to Ross Harris on his return to the first XV.
Ventnor: Pratt, Newbery, Jesney, Walker, Testa, Ball, Pemberton, Freeston, Silk, Kenny, Lush, Fresle, Lines, Engelgardt, Harris. Subs: Jackson, Farnworth, Franklin.