RUGBYAndover 11, Sandown and Shanklin 22
A STRONG Sandown side earned the points against Andover, in a game where they should have scored much more to earn vital bonus points.
The squad, including the powerful front row of Chris Skelley, Ben Allman and Todd Eldridge, missed four early opportunities for tries before Andover opened the scoring with a penalty for offside. Damien Marriott equalised with a penalty for Sandown as the Islanders began to dominate proceedings.
The breakthrough finally came when, after good charges by Wightlink man of the match Eldridge and Joe Rees, Frank Bagnall crashed over, Marriott converting.
Andover were now forced to defend for a long period, kicking out of defence, but with Vikoma man of the match Sam Dove and Sutton linking well to set the backs running, a score seemed likely.
Great forward play and a series of scrums near the try line bore fruit when Rees drove over, only for the referee to award a penalty try anyway. Marriott converted again, to open up a 17-3 lead.
Though Andover narrowed the gap with a penalty, Sandown were in control.
The Island side, determined to score the two tries they needed for the bonus point, took the game to Andover, but seemed unable to play the wide game they needed, instead having forwards running close to the ruck and set-play situations.
As the game progressed, Andover opted to kick more and Kern Wales, Luke Chandler and Marriott almost broke the defence. Eventually it was a break to the left and good running by centre James Keyworth that set Dan Robinson for a try.
Hurricanes continued to push for the bonus point but good play by the Andover scrum half lead to a blind side break and a try for the hosts.
Sandown and Shanklin: Eldridge, Allman, Skelley. S. Rees, Hunter, Bagnall, Gough, J. Rees, Dove, Sutton, Marriott, Robinson, Keyworth, Chandler, Wales. Subs: Morris, Morey, Thomas.