The stage was set for the 4th and final Hurricanes vs Isle of Wight derby of the season, a lively affair that saw both teams attack and defend well. the first points of the match were scored by returning inside centre Josh Wetherick after some good work at the breakdown by the heavily bolstered forwards of the Hurricanes who won two penalties in quick succession.
Shortly after Isle of Wight hit back with a well worked moved resulting in the team's first try just wide of the left post, the extras were not to be added though as the visitors struck the woodwork, 7 - 5. A resurgence from the Sandown & Shanklin backs after a long period of sustained forward pressure offered the chance for Man of the Match Luke Gales to run in, after side-stepping the onrushing defence. The half ended with a narrow scoreline, but with the Hurricanes marginally ahead.
The second half started with a bang and an Isle of Wight try, a mistake at the ruck from mercurial scrum half Liam Little let the opposing inside centre run clean through and bring the visitors back into the game. As play took place in the middle of the field, with both sides trying to find an advantage over the other. The returning Ryan Carey was sent to the sin-bin for an unintentional block after a break from the Wootton fullback, the home team had a scrum just inside their own half.
Into the final quarter of the game, the ball was spun down the blindside to stand off Matt Jones who expertly kicked down the left wing for Gales to chase, after beating his man to the ball Gales then showed nimble footwork and great footballing skills to dribble the ball up to the try line and touch down for his second of the day.
A great win for the home team that sets them up for a great away fixture to finish the season, when the Hurricanes 2nd XV travel away to Kingsclere RFC, on Saturday 21st April.
# | Team | Pl | Pts |
1. | Hook & Odiham 1XV | 8 | 36 |
2. | Farnborough 2XV | 8 | 33 |
3. | Kingsclere | 7 | 28 |
4. | Eastleigh 3XV | 9 | 25 |
5. | Romsey 2XV | 9 | 25 |
6. | Isle of Wight 2XV | 7 | 24 |
7. | Sandown & Shanklin 2XV | 8 | 23 |