Unacceptable In The Eighties: Mainlanders 'And-Over Rugby Lesson To Ventnor

Ventnor's First XV suffered its heaviest of defeat of the season as the players' post-festive return to action proved a bit of a turkey.

Christmas Day may have passed almost two weeks earlier, but the Island team were in generous mood, handing opponents Andover gift after gift, with the Hampshire side happy to provide the stuffing.

The result was a thumping 80-0 defeat for V-Town, to a fellow struggling side who started the day just a couple of places above them in the table.

In fact, only a ten-point deduction for bottom side Alresford prevented the Ventnorians from occupying the bottom spot in Counties 3 (see table above).

Tom Crews was in action for Ventnor, and soon after the first whistle it became clear this was 'mission impossible' for his side, with Andover completing two converted tries courtesy of a few good men in the early going.

While Crews' control was missed after he left the field with a head injury, it was the non-selection of top gun Layton Greatorex which heavily contributed to the dark clouds of defeat in place of that morning's vanilla sky.

Andover racked up the score assisted by an exemplary display of place kicking, while Ben Savill — the best player in Ventnor colours on the day — tried his best to single-handedly keep the firm from collapsing into oblivion.

The home side did take their foot off the gas in the latter stages, thankfully keeping the score below triple figures, but this was one of many days of thunder this season which Ventnor will want to forget.

Their next match — which takes place on home soil this weekend — is a vital six-pointer against Alresford. Lose that and Ventnor will replace them at the foot of the table... at the aptly named Watcome Bottom.

Ventnor Man of the Match: Ben Savill — Never let his head drop.

Team: Collett, Harrison, Savill, Teague, Coltham, C.Magnurson, Coghlan, Jones (capt), Souter, M.Wheeler, Fairman, Crews, Lines, Martin, E.Blake
Subs: Price, R.Cooper

Next match: Saturday January 13 (2pm kick-off) — Ventnor 1st XV vs Alresford at Watcombe.