THE Isle of Wight's three clubs will be in league action tomorrow aiming to end 2018 with a win tomorrow (Saturday).

Sandown and Shanklin welcome Fareham Heathens to the Fairway, pushing for a possible top spot in the Hampshire Premier.

The Hurricanes continue to lead the way for rugby on the island and, reaching the mid-way point in the season, they hope to continue their form and direction in 2019.

Following a disappointing semi-final loss in the Hampshire Plate last season, and finishing fifth in Hampshire 1, the Islanders are flying high in second position and have had a fun cup run in the London and South East Junior Vase.

The Hurricanes will look to complete the double over their visitors, who earned an impressive home win over Fordingbridge last Saturday.

The last meeting between these two sides was the second fixture of this season, when the Hurricanes travelled to Fareham and picked up an impressive 31-7 victory.

Sandown and Shanklin picked up a valuable winlast Saturday, defeating Alresford away, which had been highlighted as a potential banana skin.

The Hurricanes have a virtually a clean bill of health for the match, with only Cameron Mitchell not 100 per cent fit following an ankle injury.

Their captain, Sam Flux, managed 50 minutes off the bench in last week's dramatic victory and should return to the starting line up tomorrow.

Additionally, this weekend's selection is set to be quite a dilemma for Flux and director of rugby, Damien Marriott, with a number of names in the reckoning for a starting berth.

Ahead of the game, Marriott said: "We have quite a few options to look at this week, which is a brilliant headache to have.

"With the likes of Luke Hunter, Sam Branston and Josh Wetherick back in the fold after missing the Alresford game, it is going to put the pressure on the boys to compete for their places.

"It is a shame the seconds haven't got a game this weekend as well. This would also prove how much competition we have at the moment and the depth of our improving squad. 

"Beating Fareham Heathens won't be an easy task. They picked up a very impressive victory last week against a very handy Fordingbridge team, so the opening 20 minutes is going to be a battle.

"We need to be at our best, with plenty of energy, to come out on top of this one, which would set us up nicely for a big 2019."

There will be a minute's silence before the game for former member Trevor Jones, who died recently. 

The Isle of Wight welcome Hampshire 1 joint league leaders Alton to Wootton for their final game of 2018, with high hopes of causing an upset after beating higher-placed Overton on the road last week.

Their captain, Lewis Murray, who scored the winning points from a penalty, said: "I asked for an improved away performance last week and the lads delivered in spades, despite fielding a depleted side.

"We will be welcoming some players back tomorrow, so getting the selection mix right for Alton will be key to our success.

"They have probably the best backline in Hampshire 1, so ensuring they don't win too much clean possession is paramount.

"We were well beaten at their place early in the season, but I'm confident we can show our true colours this time around." 

Among others, Callum Pudney and Ian Bennett return to the fold.

Meanwhile, Isle of Wight seconds host their Alton counterparts for a friendly match.

Also in Hampshire 1, Ventnor will be on the road at Locks Heath Pumas, a place above Ventnor in seventh, but with a ten-point gap, making it a must-win game for the Watcombe Bottom outfit.

All games kick-off at 2pm.