RUGBY
Ventnor 31, Locksheath Pumas 19
VENTNOR maintained their 100 per cent record in Hampshire 2 with a good home win over Locksheath Pumas.
After a slow start, Pumas took the lead with an early unconverted try but this shook Ventnor into life and after a good spell of pressure, Ollie Davis crashed over for Ventnor’s first try, converted by Ben Cooper.
From the resultant kick off Davis caught the ball and bludgeoned his way deep into the Pumas territory, offloading to Pickard who crossed the line for the first of his two tries. Just before half time, Scott Jesney raced over in the corner to make the score 17-5.
Ventnor relaxed at the start of the second period and allowed the Pumas’ strong ball carriers to gain a foot-hold, resulting in two tries in the first 20 minutes.
But they also showed a spirit which has been lacking in recent seasons and came back strongly, scoring two further tries by Ross Harris and the impressive Pickard.
Wightlink man of the match was Jake Babington with the AJ Wells Black Dog award going to Nathan Ricketts.