Valiant Ventnor Vanquish Sorry Southampton In Stunning Pre-Season Display

Ventnor RFC travelled to Southampton with a squad containing a mix of experience and came away with a deserved win against a strong Southampton side who never gave up throughout.

The Islanders narrowly held off the surge of the Saints 19-15 on Saturday (September 2), with the side's immense squad depth shining through.

Coaches Jason Evans, Clive Cardwell-Hill and Neil Evans used the game to try players in new positions so some of the play was scrappy at times but the intent to adopt the patterns learned on the training pitch was evident.

It all started brightly for Southampton, who scored after some excellent offloading play to take a 6-0 lead early on.

Ventnor subsequently regrouped and some excellent work at scrumtime from George Collett and Tristan Price sent Fairman to within five metres of the Southampton try-line.

A nip and tuck first half ended with Ventnor on top but trailing 10 -7.

The second half started badly for the visitors with Southampton powering over to increase their lead.

Ventnor responded strongly however and a kick ahead by Sam Lines was chased down by the Morton brothers – Alex and Lewy – which resulted in a breakdown on the Southampton line from which Alex Morton was able to flick the ball back to Lines who touched down for the try.

It was all Ventnor in the closing stages, as the side's superior fitness told.

A final score of 19-15 to the Isle of Wight side didn't flatter, following a dominant second half effort.

After the game a little ceremony took place in which Jewy Jones presented a colourful hip joint to Eric Johnson who sustained such a nasty injury last year at Watcombe.

Eric reciprocated with some flowers for Zoe Jones who had attended to him on the pitch that day.

Both sides embraced, ecstatic at the way in which the afternoon had unfolded, gazing into one another's eyes with a cocktail of respect and passion.

A simple nod carried thousands of words, with each warrior sharing a bond forged in the midst of battle. A begrudging respect, knowing one day soon their paths would cross once more.

On this occasion it was Ventnor who got the rounds in, clinked glasses and sang songs of their local town. 

For Southampton, the plot for revenge begins in earnest.