Sandown & Shanklin RFC 27 - 22 Millbrook RFC

Saturday presented an opportunity for Sandown & Shanklin to finish 2015 on a high before the festive break. They welcomed Southampton based Millbrook RFC, who are flying high in the league, sitting in second place coming into this fixture.

From the off, it appeared that the Hurricanes had learnt from their recent mistakes and slow beginnings and took the initiative to the visiting side, with some forays into the opposition 22. Playing up the hill in the first half, saw the visitors capitalise on the conditions and soon were outside the Sandown 22. However, try as they might, Millbrook could not find away through the determined and resolute Hurricane defence. This frustrated the visitors, and were limited to capitalising on a few infringements by the home side and took the few three points that were on offer. Millbrook were building a tidy lead, and managed to also secure a try in the corner, after the numbers of the Hurricane defence finally were caught short out wide. Within the dying moments of the half, the Hurricanes, had a penalty five metres from the Millbrook try line. Captain Sam Flux tapped a quick penalty and set up a well formed and orchestrated driving maul, with Chris Skelley and Birthday boy and new father again, Sam Rees, to help drive Man of the Match David Woolfenden dive over, and reward Sandown & Shanklin for their hard work in the first half.

After the half time break the home side came out the blocks the quickest and the forward momentum was starting to tell. A tactical switch at half time saw Michael Barrett move to scrum half, and after a string of Millbrook penalties, Barrett was able to weave his past several defenders to touch down. With their tails up the Sandown & Shanklin forwards were constantly pressuring any Millborok possession, and after a charged down clearance by the industrious Ryan Carey, Millbrook were attempting to clear from their own try line under immense pressure. As the ball came to the visiting fly half, Man of the Match Joel Carey, was quickest to close his opposing number down and managed to block his clearing kick, claim the ball and touch it down for the third try of the game for the Hurricanes. After good attacking work from Fullback Sam Tyson, Sandown found themselves back in the opposition 22, and a jinking run from Joel Carey, soon found himself again touching down for another score and the bonus point for the home side. With ten minutes to go, and not to be out done, Michael Barrett found himself outside and evaded a few tackles to also notch up his second try of the game.

From the off, it appeared that the Hurricanes had learnt from their recent mistakes and slow beginnings and took the initiative to the visiting side, with some forays into the opposition 22. Playing up the hill in the first half, saw the visitors capitalise on the conditions and soon were outside the Sandown 22. However, try as they might, Millbrook could not find away through the determined and resolute Hurricane defence. This frustrated the visitors, and were limited to capitalising on a few infringements by the home side and took the few three points that were on offer. Millbrook were building a tidy lead, and managed to also secure a try in the corner, after the numbers of the Hurricane defence finally were caught short out wide. Within the dying moments of the half, the Hurricanes, had a penalty five metres from the Millbrook try line. Captain Sam Flux tapped a quick penalty and set up a well formed and orchestrated driving maul which saw Man of the Match David Woolfenden dive over, and reward Sandown & Shanklin for their hard work in the first half.

After the half time break the home side came out the blocks the quickest and the forward momentum was starting to tell. A tactical switch at half time saw Michael Barrett move to scrum half, and after a string of Millbrook penalties, Barrett was able to weave his past several defenders to touch down. With their tails up the Sandown & Shanklin forwards were constantly pressuring any Millborok possession, and after a charged down clearance by Ryan Carey, Millbrook were attempting to clear from their own try line under immense pressure. As the ball came to the visiting fly half, Man of the Match Joel Carey, was quickest to close his opposing number down and managed to block his clearing kick, claim the ball and touch it down for the third try of the game for the Hurricanes. Moments later Sandown found themselves in the opposition 22, and a jinking run from Joel Carey found himself again touching down for another score and the bonus point for the home side. With ten minutes to go, and not to be out done, Michael Barrett found himself outside and evaded a few tackles to also notch up his second try of the game.

It was a shame that the festive break came early, as the Hurricanes had put in their best performance of the season against a well organised Millbrook side. However the performance and result left a great feel good factor around the Club with both players creating a great Christmas present to supporters and the coaches! The Sandown & Shanklin 2XV play this Saturday 19th December, at home, kick off at 1415.
Also Sunday 27th December, Sandown host the annual Festive game with the returning 'Exiles' expected to play against a strong Hurricane side. The next league game for the first team is in the New Year, on Saturday 9th January, as the Hurricanes welcome Farnborough to the Fairway.

SSRFC XV: David Woolfenden, Adam Tyas, Christopher Skelley, Luke Hunter, Sam Flux ©, David Greenough, Ryan Carey, Sam Rees; Lawrence Edmonston, Joel Carey, Stephen Perfect, David Graham, Michael Barrett, Zak Chiverton, Sam Tyson. SUBS: Christopher Perfect, Alex Macpherson, Tom Borrer