In an exhilarating clash at Ventnor’s home ground, Romsey secured a commanding 19-43.
Romsey showcased a mix of powerful forward play and dynamic backline movements, following the four principles of the Romsey Way and ultimately outplaying a resilient Ventnor team. Romsey needed this win to not only maintain their winning streak but to enable them to push for the top three in Counties 3 Hampshire. Ventnor are currently sitting at the bottom of the league but have always played a tough game when playing at their home ground, evidently showing from their win last week against Christchurch. Romsey safely made it across the treacherous waters of The Solent to find wet but firm ground and the sun shining. As usual, a big crowd was gathering for Ventnor, and although Romsey’s supporters were small in number, the Romsey Roar was still heard across the island.
The squad included a very experienced subs bench, as well as a previous Ventnor player, Will Harrison, who played his first game with Romsey last week and has been welcomed to the Romsey family with open arms.
Romsey dominated the match against Ventnor from the outset, leveraging the low sun to their advantage. Each time Romsey gained possession, they skilfully exploited gaps in Ventnor’s defence, consistently making significant metres over the gain line. Twelve minutes into the first half, a powerful lineout led to a slick pass from Dylan Scott to Aiden Cleland, creating an opening for Mike Streicher to charge through. Cleland then cut through the Ventnor midfield, scoring a remarkable try from the halfway line. Cleland successfully converted his own try, putting Romsey on the board. The pressure continued, with Romsey executing eight phases from a secured lineout, alternating between forwards’ pick-and-go plays and swift ball movement to the backline. This relentless attack culminated in a well-deserved try by D Scott, followed by another successful conversion from Cleland. Romsey’s performance showcased their cohesion and tactical prowess, setting the tone for the match.
In the second quarter, Ventnor found their rhythm and reignited their competitive spirit, leveraging their home pitch to pin Romsey deep in their territory. A series of long kicks and relentless forward pick-and-goes earned them a penalty just 10 meters from Romsey’s line. Choosing to tap and go, Ventnor’s forwards pressed on, resulting in another penalty even closer to the line. A quick hands move saw Ventnor’s captain zigzag through Romsey’s defence, scoring their first try. Ventnor maintained this aggressive approach, keeping Romsey on the back foot within their own 22. A strong attacking sequence further fractured Romsey’s defence, allowing Ventnor to close the gap on the scoreboard, capped off with a successful conversion. As the second half concluded, the score stood at 12-14 in favour of Romsey, but Ventnor’s fighting spirit remained strong, setting the stage for an intense second half.
Romsey’s halftime talk was focused and direct: maintain the pace and precision that defined the strong start, and victory would be within reach. As the second half kicked off, experienced player Darren Hall joined the team, quickly making an impact in the scrums and driving forward with purpose. He found a gap and scored the first try of the half under the posts, showcasing his skill and experience. Cleland confidently converted the try, extending Romsey’s lead and further solidifying their momentum.
A few fumbles marked the middle of the second half from both teams, but Romsey’s backline kept the pressure on, ensuring the ball stayed in Ventnor’s half. A powerful scrum led by Elliot Johnson, Mike Streicher and Alfie Lawrence created an opportunity for Romsey to kick for a lineout just 5 meters from the Ventnor line. Unfortunately, they missed the set piece, allowing Ventnor to regroup and run the ball back into Romsey’s territory. Undeterred, Romsey quickly regained their composure. With slick passing and effective ball retention, D Scott found a gap and slid into Ventnor’s try line for his second try of the game.
As the game progressed, Ventnor returned with renewed energy, putting pressure on Romsey’s defence after a strong scrum secured them possession just 5 meters from the Romsey line. However, Romsey met this challenge head-on, displaying controlled aggression that resulted in a penalty for Ventnor due to holding on – a testament to the marked improvement in Romsey’s defence this season, particularly from backrow players Harrison Scott and Ryan Daly. With the momentum shifting, Romsey redirected their aggression into offense, kicking the ball deep into Ventnor’s 22. Determined not to waste this opportunity again, they executed a quick lift and maul, allowing Lawrence to slide over for another try at the base of the maul. Cleland confidently converted.
Ventnor refused to back down easily, earning several penalties that allowed them to build possession in Romsey’s half. They skilfully moved the ball left and right across the pitch, effectively utilizing the width to stretch Romsey’s defence. Ventnor’s forwards continued to apply pressure with their pick-and-go tactics, eventually leading to a penalty try. This resulted in a yellow card for Romsey’s Nick Creal, leaving the team momentarily down a player.
The next few phases of the game illustrated Romsey’s determination to maintain control, as they relentlessly attacked Ventnor’s midfield. Pierce Fouch asserted his dominance, powering through to score under the posts following a well-executed set piece by the forwards. Although the conversion was missed, it was a strong statement of intent from Romsey. Building on this momentum, Rhys Hill showcased his skill on the wing, breaking through Ventnor’s defence and creating space. Fouch capitalized on this, fending off three defenders to score his second try.
Final score 19-43 to Romsey
The team heads into the next game with strong morale, riding a winning streak fuelled by their recent performances. Under the effective leadership of Captain Harrison Scott, the squad has shown impressive strength and cohesion. With their confidence high and a clear strategy in place, they’re ready to build on their momentum and tackle the challenges ahead – Andover 2’s.
A special mention to forwards Ian Milanak and Lewis Cartledge for continued attacking dominance breaking through the line, along with Oliver Wise & Alex Smith for provided a stable backline taking the fight back to Ventnor.
Coaches’ comments:
“Today could have been a banana skin giving Ventnor won at home last week. The lads showed great patience to break down Ventnor and trusted each other to do their individual jobs.”
Captains’ comments:
“Harrison Scott – I thought the boys fronted up well, it’s always tough on the island especially at scrum time. To come away with a full 5 points reflects our commitment in all aspects of our game.”