VENTNOR RFC travelled with a squad of 12 and supplemented their numbers with three borrowed players for a well‑played friendly against Fordingbridge.
FRIENDLY — FORDINGBRIDGE XV 45, VENTNOR XV 15
It was a match notable for its open rugby and skill on both sides.
The visitors struck first when Olly Wood returned a kick to set up Max Henley, who linked with Tom Scadden.
Scadden broke the line and offloaded for Pat Banks to finish.
Fordingbridge responded by bringing their powerful forwards into the game and gradually took control despite strong defensive work from skipper Jack Gilbey and Charlie Sutton.
The hosts built a 21-5 lead before Ventnor rallied.
Ed Blake made ground, Henrik Brown carried on and Blake Tombleson recycled well for Scadden to send Joel Cocks crashing over.
Warren Riches struck the bar with the conversion as half-time arrived at 21-10.
Fordingbridge dominated much of the second half, though Banks added his second after good play from Brown and Gilbey.
Ventnor XV: Cocks, Brown, Miles, Tombleson, David, Gilbey (capt), Sutton, Banks, Henley, Scadden, Wood, Tyler, Blake, Wade, Riches.
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