IW’s Charlie Appell and Ali Gates try to stop the sprinting Michael Cooper. Picture by Jennifer Burton.
PICTURE GALLERY
RUGBY
Ventnor II 53, IW II 25
THE first local rugby derby of the year, between Ventnor and IW’s second string sides, was never a second-class match with tries, tackles and tempers throughout.
After an early exchange of penalties, Ventnor, who had a couple of Sandown and Shanklin II players in their line-up after their game was cancelled, pulled away with a try from flanker and Wightlink man of the match Rob Palmer, converted by Warren Riches, for a 10-3 lead.
This triggered a period of rampant Ventnor play, dominating from the pack through to the banks and the constant pressure produced the points, as Ben Savill and Palmer both touched down for converted efforts. With the IW struggling to get out of their own half, Ventnor were unrelenting, and were 34-3 up at the break thanks to further scores from Adam Pratt and Rob Jackson before the break. IW’s cause was not helped by a nasty broken nose sustained by Ali Gates.
IW used their time during the break to regroup and came out strongly for the second half, pushing Ventnor into their own half and producing a well-worked team try, Gary Warvill touching down and converting, before scoring again through sub James Curran to make it 34-15.
Tom Monks restored Ventnor’s advantage with Riches converting, but they were then forced to try to defend their lead when Jackson was yellow carded for a late hit. With the extra man, IW made the most of it, scoring tries through Ben Ridley and Jack Preston, while they had another disallowed.
However, Ventnor still dominated in the scrum, with Monks and Palmer scoring. After Monks’s try, an IW player’s outburst earned him a red card, and that effectively ended the IW challenge.
Ventnor’s AJ Wells Black Dog award went to Rob Newton. IW’s Rouse Ltd man of the match was Paul Carter.
The match was sponsored by TF Property Solutions and Howdens Joinery.
Ventnor II: R. Newton, Savill, Pratt, Draper, Wilson, Palmer, J. Newton, Jackson, D. Marriott, Cooper, Monks, McGovern, A. Marriott, Cripps, Riches.
IW II: Gates, Collinson, Harley, Carter, Rock, Warvill, Cotter, Brine, Metcalfe, Clements, Church, Appell, Joyce, Wallace, Westley. Subs: Keyworth, Curran, Preston, Tibbott, Mitchell, Ridley, Downer.
Reporter: sport@iwcpmail.co.uk
• Pictures from our online gallery www.iwcpgallery.co.uk below.
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