Narrow Defeat for Hurries

After defeating the hosts convincingly earlier in the season at home, Hurries were looking for their second double, but that proved a harder task 'on the road'.

The game commenced at fast pace with both sides probing defences. Hurries immediately took control of scrummaging, winning the first two scrums against the head. Hurries made many early breaks, Dan Robinson sliced through the defence and fed Kern Wales but he was brought down on the 5 metre line. On 9 minutes, against the play, the hosts kicked a penalty 3-0. Most of the play then continued in the centre of the field with defences working overtime. Alex Howard then kicked a penalty from 20 metres out, 3-3. In the closing seconds of the half, after a close in scrum and rucks, the hosts spun the ball out to score a converted try, Half Time 10-3.

Hurries turned round with renewed vigour, with WIGHTLINK man-of the match Sam Rees replacing Alex Howard who was on duty with Hampshire on Sunday and a first team debut for Sam Flux coming on for Andrew Gough. Hurries tightened their game but some poor line-out work, many bad decisions and the mounting penalty count let them down. Matt Jones fed ZETA-pdm man-of the match Dan Muir on many occasions, but the defence held out. A penalty for a scrummage infringement, gave the hosts a 13-3 lead. The hosts gained confidence in attack and an off-side cost the Hurries another penalty, 16-3.

Then a late surge by the Hurries led them to the hosts line. A maul was pulled down and a host player cautioned, Captain Joe Rees opted for the scrum which the hosts once again disrupted for a penalty and the same host player sin binned. Another scrum, which was moving towards the try line, and as on many occasions this season, it was illegally brought down. Penalty try awarded, converted by Will Baxendall, 'too little too late', the Hurries on the day defeated themselves. Final score 16-10.

Hurries from ; Harris, Thomas, Skelley, Hunter, Howard, Tolley, Gough, J. & S. Rees, Booth, Baxendall, Chandler, Jones, Robinson, Muir, Wales, Eldridge, Flux.

Report by Geoff Giles