Isle of Wight rugby: Hurricanes come through first big test of the season

THE Hurricanes sit proudly on top of the Hampshire Premier league pile with a 100 per cent win record after grabbing their third scalp — but it was the Isle of Wight club's biggest test to date in beating a gritty Eastleigh II side.

The opening quarter was tight, with neither side building any meaningful momentum.

Darren Carew (in blue) for the Hurricanes presenting the ball, with Henry Bagnall rucking and Tom Borrer (in number 9 shirt) against Eastleigh II on Saturday.

In the run-up to half-time, the game sparked into life as both sides adapted to the wet conditions and, after some sustained pressure in the Eastleigh half, the Hurricanes proved to be a big test for the visitors’ defence, with holes starting to appear.

Following a powerful drive from Darren Carew and the ball just short of the Eastleigh posts, the referee awarded a penalty try on 26 minutes after he took a dim view on the actions of the visitors’ defence.

Hurricanes player Martin Richomme, number 1, in blue, leading the maul, with team-mate Harry Hopper, wearing head band.

The second half began in the same vein as the first, with both forward packs attempting to wrestle control of the game, with strong carrying from Zak Chiverton and Martin Richomme helping to get the Hurricanes on the front foot.

The physicality of both sides started to make the game more open, with man of the match, full back Owen Williams, expertly fielding and defusing Eastleigh’s high, challenging kicks.

Damian Seder, with the ball, driving forward for Sandown and Shanklin in their match against Eastleigh II at The Fairway on Saturday.

After the visitors scored a try, but missed their conversion attempt,they began to take charge for a spell, but as they were poised to score again, Williams gathered a fumbled ball and sprinted 60 metres upfield to score in the corner to extend the Hurricanes’ lead.

In a tense final ten minutes, the home side gave themselves breathing space when they were awarded a penalty.

Hurricanes player Sam Tyson (with headband and ball) passing to for Owen Williams (just left of him), the Islanders' man of the match. 

Josh Wetherick centred for Sam Tyson and Harrison Booth and, in the opposition 22, the Eastleigh defence infringed and captain, Sam Flux, struck the ball between the posts to make the game safe.

Hurricanes: Flux (capt), Chiverton, Richomme, Winter, Seder, Bagnall, Hopper, Carew, Borrer, Wetherick, Little, Tyson, Booth, Fyffe, Williams. Subs: Kulik.

Zak Chiverton (number 2), Henry Bagnall (number 6) and Harry Hopper in action for Sandown and Shanklin against Eastleigh II on Saturday.