Sandown and Shanklin 17, Old Whitgiftians 10
A COMMANDING display from a ruthless Hurricanes squad banished the agony of last year’s play-off woes as they successfully gained promotion from Hampshire League One.
The side, who lost last year’s play-off match for a place in London’s South West 4 by a single point, made no mistakes as they charged to victory.
After an edgy start hampered by the constant whistles of a meticulous referee, Hurricanes started to establish themselves well, using their physical superiority, especially in the scrum.
Whitgiftians were a quick-running side and at times looked threatening but the determined Hurricanes defence held strong and true, giving nothing away at the vital moments.
The deserved breakthrough came around halfway through the first half, when the Island side stole the ball from a Whitgiftians lineout and broke brilliantly through Kern Wales.
Whitgiftians left themselves open out wide and gifted Wales an easy pass to Dan Robinson for a great try. The score was boosted by Danny Thomas’s conversion.
Around five minutes later, Thomas extended Hurricanes’ lead with a penalty kick.
Hurricanes continued to dominate from the kick-off. Yves Soufflet made a tremendous charge for a try but it was called back thanks to an earlier knock-on.
Luke Chandler also had two great chances but Whitgiftians were granted a lifeline when they scored a penalty to make it 10-3. But Hurricanes were right back in it and minutes later, after a tremendous spell of pressure, Sam Rees gained the ball from a five-metre lineout and fed his brother, Joe, to charge over for the second try. Thomas, playing an excellent game throughout, kicked the conversion.
Whitgiftians were clearly shaken but a five-minute lapse from Hurricanes allowed the mainland side to score a converted try, to make for a tense finish.
However, Hurricanes remained steady as the minutes ticked away and the final whistle brought jubilation for the hard-working side.
Natwest men-of-the-match award went to the Hurries pack and the Wightlink men-of-the-match were the three-quarters.
Sandown and Shanklin: Harris, Soufflet, Skelley, Hunter, S. Rees, J. Rees, Thomas, Tolley, Dove, Chandler, Robinson, Sutton, Baxendall, Jones, Wales.
Subs: Steele, Gough, Booth, Eldridge.
• Vectis under-14s have been crowned champions of Division 2 of the Hampshire League, while the under-15s secured second place in the league and promotion to Hampshire Division 1. Match reports, plus the biggest Vectis mini-rugby festival to date in the Friday, May 1,
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