GOSPORT & FAREHAM II 3, HURRICANES 52

THERE was a telling gulf in class as Sandown and Shanklin made the short cross-Solent trip to take on the Hampshire Premier’s bottom club.

The Isle of Wight's top side started the better.

After building a number of phases and strong carries from Darren Carew and Jack Wedderkop, Sandown and Shanklin got the attack moving.

One of the phases saw the ball end up in the hands of fly-half Josh Wetherick, who slid in for the first score of the game, also converted.

After missed penalties and drop goal attempts by the home side, there was a period of attrition, with the Hurricanes frustrated by the big Gosport pack.

But another penalty attempt flew over for the hosts’ only score as the Hurricanes struggled to kick into gear in the sticky conditions.

The Hurricanes eventually managed to string a number of phases and carries together, led by captain Zak Chiverton, who received a pass down the line from Owen Williams to dot down.

The Islanders stepped up the tempo in the seond half, with Luke Wedderkop added, and their attack became much more direct and efficient, with great handling skills, which eventually led to Chiverton scoring under the posts.

In ruthless mood, the Hurricanes scored soon again, with Ben Sanderson finding Sam Branston who sprinted over the line.

Following a mazy Wertherick run through the defence, the ball was spun wide to full back and man-of-the-match Ben Sanderson to crash over.

A line-out was set up again by the forwards, who marched over the try line for Chiverton’s hat-trick.

The scoring continued with an Owen Williams double salvo — the first came when he out-sprinted the defence from 40m, followed up moments later when he found space to dash past the last defenders for the Hurricanes’ eighth try of the game.

Tom Borrer kicked six conversions.

After the game, club captain Sam Flux, missing through injury, said: “The boys played well — especially those who stepped up and took their opportunities.

“It was always going to be a tough opening 40-50 minutes against Gosport on their ground. They are a touch nut to crack and they very much proved that in the first half.

“Fortunately, after we discussed during the break where we needed to improve, we responded well to the challenge.

“Now we have to make the most of the next two weeks and the final two games of 2018, to consolidate our second position in the league.”

The Hurricanes face Alresford at Fairway Park, while the seconds travel to Romsey II for a re-arranged league fixture.

After the game, club captain Sam Flux, missing through injury, said: “The boys played well — especially those who stepped up and took their opportunities.

“It was always going to be a tough opening 40-50 minutes against Gosport on their ground. They are a touch nut to crack and they very much proved that in the first half.

“Fortunately, after we discussed during the break where we needed to improve, we responded well to the challenge.

“Now we have to make the most of the next two weeks and the final two games of 2018, to consolidate our second position in the league.”

The Hurricanes face Alresford at Fairway Park, while the seconds travel to Romsey II for a re-arranged league fixture.

Hurricanes: Carew, Tyas, Richomme, Winter, Hunter, Bagnall, Hopper, Branston, Little, Wetherick, Borrer, J.Wedderkop, Chiverton (capt), Williams, Sanderson. Subs: Rees, Dean, L.Wedderkop.