Ventnor RFC Impressive At Winchester 7s Tournament

Ventnor Rugby Club has continued its development in the fast-paced format of rugby sevens after competing at the annual Winchester RFU 7s Tournament.

The Island side travelled to Hampshire for just their second-ever 7s competition and came away with three wins and three defeats against more experienced opposition.

Played in difficult conditions, with heavy rain and strong winds throughout the day, Ventnor showed clear signs of progress from their first tournament appearance.

Head coach Damien Marriott praised the squad's efforts, saying the players demonstrated a much better understanding of the game, worked hard for one another and successfully put training-ground lessons into practice.

He said the performance was an encouraging step forward, with three more tournaments scheduled over the summer as the team continues to develop.

Ventnor's squad consisted of Tom Branagh (captain), Pat Banks, Harry Bexon-Stone, Rhys Cole, Josh Ford, Cody Hayman, Hayden Lythgoe, Damien Marriott, Tom Scadden, Ben Souter and John Waghorn.

The team's next tournament takes place in North Dorset on 25 June.

Meanwhile, there was success for two Ventnor players at Twickenham, as brothers Max and Harvey Wheeler helped Hampshire secure the RFU Division Three County Championship title.

Hampshire defeated Leicestershire 41-26 in the final, with Harvey Wheeler coming off the bench in the second half to help his side seal victory.