Neil Buckingham had his kicking boots on for Sandown but missed a drop goal late on. Picture by Jennifer Burton.
RUGBYSandown and Shanklin 17, Old Alleynians 23
A CONVERTED try and a penalty in the opening three minutes of this crunch London South West 3 match between leaders Sandown and Shanklin and challengers Old Alleynians, proved highly decisive.
Alleynians pounced on some sleepy defending from the hosts to open up an early lead and, despite going behind momentarily, never really looked back.
The Islanders were guilty of allowing Alleynians’ speedy winger far too much space and he raced down the left to score an early try, which was easily converted as the mainlanders had the wind behind them.
And a shove during the try-scoring move, earned Alleynians a penalty straight from the kick-off, which they took with ease.
After weathering several penalties, Sandown began to exert their influence in the match and fought back well, scoring a converted try in the 20th minute after a blistering run from down the right by Luke Chandler. Neil Buckingham converted.
And seven minutes later, it was a blistering run down the left from Dan Muir which put the hosts in front, Buckingham again converting to take a 14-10 lead.
Alleynians were not about to lay down and made the most of the referee’s whistle to retake the lead with two penalty kicks before the break. In the second half, they had Sandown pinned in their own half for the first ten minutes, before Sandown retook the lead with a penalty kick, again from Buckingham.
With ten minutes left, Buckingham almost put the game beyond Alleynians with a drop goal that went inches wide. But three minutes later, they were made to pay for that miss when their quick winger once again ripped through the home side’s defence to score a try, with an easy conversion, to make it 23-17 in their favour.
Sandown really tried to pull back the scores again but could barely penetrate the Alleynians’ 22, as the mainlanders held on for the win.
Sandown still lead London South West 3, but only by three points.
Sandown and Shanklin: Harris, Allman, Steele, Hunter, Keyworth, Buckingham, Gough, J. Rees, Dove, Bagnall, Muir, S. Rees, Robinson, Chandler, Wales.
Reporter: sport@iwcpmail.co.uk