Ventnor RFC Concludes Pre-Season With Inter-Club Clash

Ventnor Rugby Club rounded off their pre-season preparations with an inter-club fixture at Watcombe Bottom, providing a final run-out before the league campaign begins on 4 October.

The match pitted a Chairman’s XV against a President’s XV, with the Chairman’s side eventually coming out on top.

Tries came from Ben Souter, Tom Branagh, Josh Braham, captain Joe Coghlan, and two from Tom Scadden.

Tom Crews added four conversions.

The President’s XV, led by club president Warren Riches, also enjoyed their moments.

Riches himself showed flashes of skill, while Jacob Jordan impressed with a strong performance, scoring one of his team’s two tries.

The other came from Dan Lythgoe, with Riches adding the conversion.

After the match, club chairman James Morton said the 12 - 43 scoreline in favour of Chairman's XV didn’t tell the full story of a closely contested game.

He highlighted the pace and power of the backs, and said the encounter underlined the depth of talent within the squad ahead of the new season.

Man-of-the-Match honours were shared between Scadden and Riches, while special mentions went to Nathan Frampton and Alan Fox for the “moment of the match,” and to supporters Rog Evans, Micky Buttle and Biz Burrows.

Ventnor’s league campaign begins on 4 October.

The 1st XV will host Aldershot & Fleet at Watcombe, while the 2nd XV travel to Ellingham & Ringwood.