HURRICANES 37, FORDINGBRIDGE 22

IN THE clash of second against third in the Hampshire Premiership, Sandown and Shanklin consolidated their position with another solid, all-round display.

The visitors got the upper hand early on, but after a few phases were turned over by the Hurricanes defence, the tide turned, thanks to a typically strong line catch and drive, to help the Hurricanes march upfield.

Following a wave of attacks, fly-half Cameron Mitchell gathered the ball and ran through the defensive line to dot down under the posts.

After a succession of penalties against the Hurricanes, Fordingbridge drove over to score from a line-out maul, pulling the score back to 7-5.

Despite being reduced to 14 men, following a Harry Hopper yellow card, the Hurricanes scored from hooker Zak Chiverton, who powered through the defence.

After a couple of missed chances, further pressure led to Ben Shannon barging his way through the away backline to grab a try.

Hurricanes skipper Sam Flux followed the third try with a penalty to put the Islanders in command, but Fordingbridge pulled back a try.

But the home side finished the half with a flourish. A lovely move involving the forwards and backs created an overlap, from which Sam Tyson fed winger Harry Miselbach to score in the corner — the Hurricanes’ 20th different try scorer this season

The excellent rugby continued in the second half by both sides, before the Hurricanes took two further yellow cards in the space of five minutes, from Shannon and Harry Miselbach.

With 13 men, the home side managed to hold out for 15 minutes before Fordingbridge out-flanked the defence to score.

As the Hurricanes got back to full strength, they made headway, with Martin Richomme carrying through the defence to score under the posts.

The visitors struck back moments later with a try — a score which opened up the game in the final ten minutes.

Another strong carry from Flux helped set up Sam Tyson to hit a drop goal.

Sam Flux kicked three conversions.

After the game, Sandown and Shanklin’s director of rugby, Damion Marriott, said: “Fordingbridge had some fantastic players out there — a very good back line.

“But the lads stood up to the challenge really well and did a great job in the tackle area to slow them down and frustrate them

“It was a big result for us. We take huge confidence from it and I can only see this young squad getting better.

“Yes, we had three yellow cards, but we all knew our roles to help give us more time to get organised.

“We also backed our strengths and with our defensive organisation on point, we got into great shape.

“It was a big result for us. We take huge confidence from it and I can only see this young squad getting better.”

The team’s attention now turns to the third round of the Junior Vase, when they make the long hike to North Kent to take on Gillingham Anchorians, who sit in second place in Kent 1.

Hurricanes: Shannon, Chiverton, Richomme, Flux (capt), Seder, M.Miselbach, Hopper, Hunter, Jordan, Mitchell, Wetherick, Tyson, Wedderkop, H.Miselbach, Sanderson. Subs: Tyas, Rees, Williams.