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1st XV
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Sat 04 Jan 2025  ·  Counties 1 Hampshire
Sandown & Shanklin RFC
1st XV
17
36
Bournemouth II
Hurricanes Suffer Defeat Away from Home

Hurricanes Suffer Defeat Away from Home

SSRFC Webmaster8 Jan - 13:57

Sandown & Shanklin kick off 2025 with a loss on the road.

Sandown & Shanklin’s first fixture of 2025 was on the road, which will be a common theme for the remainder of the season, with only a handful of home 1st XV fixtures before the end of the season.

The Hurricanes were boosted with the return of Sam Flux and Captain Sam Rees from long term injuries, however, the squad was still somewhat mix matched as some key players were still unavailable for selection.

Following the kick off, the Hurricanes were almost off to the perfect start as fly half Sam Tyson chipped over the Bournemouth defence, for winger Ash Smith to collect. The electric winger did the hard part in regaining possession and beating the defenders, unfortunately he then dropped the ball over the line in the act of scoring. This gave the home side a shot of confidence and despite the Hurricanes defending solidly, the number of penalties was starting to accrue. With Bournemouth close to the line, they eventually charged over for an early lead, 7 - 0.

The away side had gone back up the field, and were threatening the Bournemouth try line following another line break from Smith. However, two cynical acts from Bournemouth prevented a near certain try, as the opposition scrum half knocked down a clear two-on-one pass which would have put the Hurricanes under the posts to score. The nine was then sin binned and the resulting Hurries penalty was taken quickly by Chiverton. A handful of phases later and the on charging Damian Seder scored to get the away side off the mark for 2025, 7 - 5.

The hosts capitalised on the ill discipline of the visitors and gained a line out deep in Sandown’s 22. Following a number of phases and charges the home side eventually battered their way over the try line, 12 - 5.

The last ten minutes of the first half then was turned on its head, after the visitors started to look threatening. Strangely centre Rob Newton was yellow carded, after receiving an awkward offload and then carrying into contact. Then a break from Bournemouth saw them make it up to Sandown’s five metre line. Flux tackled and ripped the ball from the attacker, but was then penalised and sin binned as well, adjudged for being off feet when taking the ball.

The Hurricanes then valiantly defended the reminding minutes of the first half, however being two men down, the home side managed to add a third score finding space out wide, 19 - 5, to bring the first half took a close.

The second half resumed with Newton retaking the field to get the visitors back up to 14 men.

The home side capitalised with the man advantage and scored their fourth try of the afternoon, 24 - 5. Sandown made some changes to provide fresh legs, with Chris Skelley, Wayne Williams and Rhys Mundell entering the fray, as well as Flux returning after the sin binning.

Chasing to take something from the game, halfbacks Marriott and Tyson increased the tempo and kept ball in hand which really put the hosts under pressure, until small mistakes let the hurricanes down.

The Hurricanes did manage to score a second try of the afternoon, following a successful catch and drive they were camped on the hosts try line. Then Wayne Williams picked up the ball from the back of the ruck and dived over the try line, 24 - 10.

The Hurricanes final score was sandwiched between two further Bournemouth scores, both pouncing upon mistakes as the Hurricanes pushed their way to the try line for a third and fourth try, for the try bonus point. Sandown’s third and final try came to Wightfibre Man of the Match Ben Kulik, who showed excellent pace that even Director of Rugby Keith Wallace surprised he could move that fast! Ben was afforded the space to score following a tap penalty and some good ball retention, eventually lead to space in the wide chance, and some quick hands for the hooker to sprint in from 20 metres. Tyson successfully converted the kick, leaving the final score 36 - 17.

Plenty to work on, as the Hurricanes are back on their travels this weekend. The 1st XV make the trip up to Basingstoke, and the 2nd XV return to action m, against league leader Tottonians 3rd XV. Both heavyweight encounters for both Sandown & Shanklin teams, so support much appreciated. There is a coach going to Basingstoke, so if you fancy the day out to support the boys, speak to Sam Flux.

Match details

Match date

Sat 04 Jan 2025

Kickoff

14:00

Competition

Counties 1 Hampshire

League position

5
Sandown & Shanklin
6
Bournemouth II
Further reading

Team Sponsors

Club Sponsor - Wightfibre