Sandown & Shanklin this Saturday, in contrast to a week prior, the sun was shining at Hampshire Avenue

When hosting Sandown & Shanklin this Saturday, in contrast to a week prior, the sun was shining at Hampshire Avenue and the conditions allowed for Bognor to utilise their attacking threats out wide- 6 tries being scored by the wingers.

Sandown attacking patiently with their pack were in the Bognor 22m, a strong run from their hooker was halted abruptly by the dominance of Chris Webb and James Barlow, with Jeremy Newton Young pouncing on the loose ball and offloading, Tyrone Makasi was unleashed- running the remaining 80m to score under the sticks. Chris Hay with the conversion, 7-0.

Another passage of play in Bognor territory found the hosts rewarded for their aggressive defence, earning a turnover, second row Barlow received the ball in space- having spotted Makasi out wide, he opted to drop the ball to foot and regather from 2feet away, eventually feeding the winger who made light work of stepping the fullback and scoring his second. Hay conversion missed, 12-0.

From the kick off the Bognor forwards began to get their hands on the ball and display their skills. Dominant carries from captain and vice captain Josh Burgess and Shane Stevens lead the charge and with composure and persistence, the third try was scored- Paddy Burnett scoring his first of the season, picking from the base of the ruck to drive over. Conversion missed, 17-0.

Half time.

The visitors, now with a new lease of life, found themselves 10 meters short of the Bognor try line, a dominant scrum applied pressure resulting in a penalty. From a quick tap, the scrambling bognor defence were unable to stop the ball carrier who darted over. 17- 7.

The hosts responded quickly when, from the base of the breakdown, Sam Newcombe sniped on the blind side and threw a perfectly weighted miss pass to Makasi- the winger sealing his hat trick in corner. Conversion missed, 22-7.

Not giving in, the Visitors continued to apply pressure and began to convert opportunities- scoring 2 tries put them back within reaching distance. 22- 19.

Connor Herrington, gathering the high ball from a kick deep, hared out from the Bognor 22m, gliding past several defenders on the wing before cooly passing infield to Makasi who had the pace to run in for his 4th and final try of the day. Executing yet another dazzling Bognor try, it was little wonder that he was named man of the match. Conversion missed, 27-19.

Debutant prop Charlie Weller was introduced and impressed with some hefty collisions both in attack and defence. Josh Holden also entered the fray.

Within the S&S half, the defensive prowess of centre Nathan Archer when over the ball at the breakdown was rewarded with a penalty, Newcombe exploiting the disorganised defence tapped quickly and charged into the contact 10m short of the line, finding Burnett with a delicate offload who slid in for his second try. Conversion missed, 32-19.

In the closing moments of the game, another Sandown try provided them with the 4 try bonus point, however they would take no more from the fixture. 32-24 full time.

1. Chris. Webb
2. Shaun Bailey
3. Joe Benjamin
4. James Barlow
5. Shane Stevens
6. Jamie Foote
7. Mark ubsdell
8. Josh Burgess (C)
9. Sam Newcombe
10. Elvis Millen
11. Tyrone Makasi ⭐️ TTTT
12. Nathan Archer
13. Connor Herrington
14. Chris Hay C
15. Jeremy Newton Young

16. Charlie Weller
17. Josh Holden
18. Paddy Burnett TT

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