VENTNOR'S disappointing season continued as the home side once again let victory slip from their grasp.

VENTNOR 26, ALDERSHOT & FLEET 37

Struggles with team consistency and the execution of key skills on the field were again the Islanders'  undoing in this encounter.

Ventnor witnessed the return of veterans such as Todd Riches and Adam Pratt.

Ferry issues, however, delayed Ryan Cooper, which prompted changes.

Ventnor's fortunes seemed bleak from the kick-off as the visitors made the most of a quickly taken penalty to score.

Nevertheless, Ventnor found an opportunity to level through Fred Fairman.

Ventnor kept up the momentum as Riches scored a try, which resulted in a 21-14 scoreline in favour of the visitors half-time.

Their captain, Lewis Jones, gave the team some stern words at the interval, which sparked Ventnor into life, pushing the score to 26-24 in their favour.

However, the situation was short-lived — Ventnor conceding a rare strike against the head of a scrum, which was promptly converted into a try, leading to Aldershot going 31-26 in front.

Ventnor's cause wasn't helped by indiscipline, which allowed Aldershot to extend their lead. 

Potential for a comeback was further scuppered when Ventnor's Guy Entwistle was deemed to have made a late tackle, which led to his dismissal from the field.

The result marked yet another missed opportunity for the home side.

SATURDAY'S RESULTS

Counties 2 Hampshire: Guernsey II 29, Sandown & Shanklin 27.
Counties 3: IWRFC 10, Havant III 38; Ventnor 26, Aldershot & Fleet 37.
Counties 4B: Winchester III 48, Sandown& Shanklin II 7.
Counties 5 South: New Milton II 29, Ventnor II 19; United Services Portsmouth II v IWRFC II (home win walkover).