After the extended Festive break, Sandown & Shanklin welcomed Farnborough to the Fairway for the first league fixture of 2016. Having finished 2015 on a high the Hurricanes were keen to start the New Year well and begin a pursuit of the teams above them in Hampshire 1. Farnborough also looking for the win, trailing three points behind Sandown, with this opportunity to leapfrog their opponents.

Sandown & Shanklin started well with their high intensity at the breakdown and in tackle prominent, they began to make early headway toward the Farnborough try line, following some quick feet and thinking from winger James Flux. After a quick line out move, and slick hands from the back line, Man of the Match Stephen Perfect cleverly guided the ball to winger Zak Chiverton who got away down the line and was dragged down short of the Farnborough try line. After a few phases, scrum half Michael Barrett found birthday boy, Dave Greenough in acres of space who crashed over the line to give the Hurricanes an early 5-0 lead.

With momentum with the home side, the forwards continued to progress into the Farnborough territory and with a ruck a few metres off the try line, the away side persistently infringed and conceded a Penalty Try, which fly half Joel Carey duly converted. This left the hosts in a commanding position being 12-0 up at half time.

The second half began with Farnborough coming out the block the more determined and with the home side on the retreat after numerous infringements, the referee was forced into showing a yellow card to prop Henry Bagnall who was the unfortunate one to receive the penalty. Farnborough rallied and made use of the advantage and managed to squeeze their winger over in the corner. The try was not converted, leaving the score at 12-5.

Sandown & Shanklin rallied and through the monstrous number of tackles that Man of the Match Ryan Carey completed, the Hurricanes were back in the away sides 22. Following a scrum a few hard drives by the forwards, Michael Barrett managed to find a gap in the Farnborough fringe defence and score under the posts, with Joel Carey converting again.

Now both teams were searching for a bonus point. The game effectively won, Sandown could get one for four tries, and Farnborough chasing the losing bonus point. But, there was to be no extra score, and the final scoreline was 19-5.

Sandown & Shanklin have gotten 2016 off to a good start and looking to maintain their momentum, now turn their attention to Hamble based Locksheath Pumas, at the foot of Hampshire 1.

SSRFC: Henry Bagnall, Ben Kulik, Sam Flux, Luke Hunter, Sam Rees, Dave Greenough, Ryan Carey, Sam Branston; Michael Barrett, Joel Carey, Zak Chiverton, David Graham, Stephen Perfect, James Flux, Will Baxandall. Subs: Adam Tyas, Harrison Booth, Matt Miselbach.