HAMPSHIRE LEAGUE DIVISION 1

Ventnor 13, Portsmouth 2nds 0

THE game represented a real statement of intent for Ventnor, invigorated by their excellent win against Southampton in their last match.

In a game in which defences dominated, Ventnor made early inroads, which resulted in a penalty from Chris Hill.

Once again, the Islanders gained ascendancy at scrum-time with Price, Jones and Pratt dominant in the front row, and Savill and Teague making an all-action pairing in the second row.

This platform allowed Ventnor to make progress up field and permitted A J Wells Man of the Match, Louis Malkin, to release his threequarters, where Harris, Hill and Morton gave George Finan space to score.

Despite constant pressure from Portsmouth, Ventnor were resolute in defence, with the backrow of Marsh, Magnurson and Colson to the fore, and the half finished with Ventnor leading by eight.

The second half provided more of the same with both sides battering into each other until a powerful lineout drive gave Malkin the chance to release Harris, Hill and Morton.

Urbanos timed his run into the line to take Morton’s pass and the fullback put Finan away for his second try.

Portsmouth came straight back and only desperate tackles from Blake and Magnurson prevented a score in the corner.

This constant pressure resulted in a yellow card for Harris for a high tackle, but Ventnor’s line never buckled, with Griggs, Noyes and Wheeler making immediate impacts from the bench.

The whistle blew with a deserved win for Ventnor.

A J Wells Man of the Match was awarded to Louis Malkin, and Andy Teague took home Red Funnel Moment of the Match.

Ventnor: Price, Jones (capt), Pratt, Teague, Savill, Magnurson, Marsh, Colson, Malkin, Harris, Blake, L.Morton, Hill, Finan, Urbanos. Subs: Griggs, Noyes, Wheeler.