Hurries miss bonus win

Sandown travelled to Andover after the Christmas break with a strong team including the powerful front row of Skelley, Allman and returning from injury Eldridge.

A bright start from the Hurricanes suggested the game could be won by half time but when the first clear chance was adjudged to be a forward pass the first of four clear try scoring chances ended with a scrum to Andover.

Marriot, playing wing, was the victim of poor passes and two forward passes but had better luck with the boot. Andover opened the scoring with a penalty for off side from in front of the posts but Marriot slotted his first attempt after Andover were off their feet at a ruck to bring the scores level at 3 points each.

Sandown now settled to the rhythm of the match and good scrumaging and driving play took Hurries into the Andover half where they stayed for long periods . Sam Rees and Luke Hunter were taking good line out ball and from one of these line outs the drive was halted just short of the Andover line.

Then from the resulting rucks, first WIGHTLINK man-of-the-match Eldridge then Joe Rees charged at the line with the third attempt from Bagnall delivering the opening try. From a tight angle Marriot converted for a 10-3 Sandown lead.

Andover were now forced to defend for a long period kicking out of defence but with Dove and Sutton linking well to set the backs running a score seemed likely. The second forward pass of the day to Chandler denied him a certain try but with the resulting scrum Sandown drove Andover off the ball earning a penalty.

There now came a series of penalties on the 5 metre line and Sandown drove over at the third attempt for what was a certain try for skipper Rees only for the referee to award a penalty try against Andover for dropping the scrum. Marriot converted for 17 – 3 lead.

From the restart Sandown tried to run from their own half and were caught out when a knock on lead to Andover ball and the ensuing penalty closed the first half with Sandown now 17 – 6 in front of Andover.

The second half gave Andover the advantage of the slight slop on the pitch and a more open game seemed to favour them early on with Keyworth and Robinson required to repel the runners through the middle of the park.

VIKOMA man-of-the-match Dove remained busy both in attack and defence again tackling above his weight and managing the Sandown forwards on a number of well driven mauls. Sandown determined to score the two trys they needed for the bonus point took the game to Andover but seemed unable to play the wide game needed when good ball became available, instead having forwards running close to the ruck and set play situations.

The introduction of Thomas for Bagnall and Morris for Eldridge gave fresh legs to the game with the latter taking over at the set scrumage with confidence. Wales now came more into the game as Andover opted to kick more and linking with wings Marriot and Chandler nearly broke the defence.

Eventually it was a break to the left hand side and good running by centre Keyworth that set Robinson clear to score in the corner. Hurries continued to push for the bonus point try but good play by the Andover scrum half lead to a blind side break and a try for the home supporters to cheer leaving the score at 22-11 to Sandown.

The last ten minutes proved frustrating as opportunities to finish the job for Sandown were missed. Skipper Rees had to be replace for a cut ear and as the game came to a close Marriot again crossed the line with the last play of the match only for the pass to be give as forward.

Closest rivals Old Alleynians won against Ellingham and Ringwood with a bonus point to close within a point of Sandown, whilst Winchester lost and drop off the pace.

TEAM: ELDRIDGE, ALLMAN, SKELLY, Sam REES, HUNTER, BAGNALL, GOUGH, Joe REES (capt), DOVE, SUTTON, MARRIOT, ROBINSON, KEYWORTH, CHANDLER, WALES. BENCH: MORRIS, THOMAS, MOREY

Tries: Bagnall, Robinson, Penalty Try
Conv: Marriot (2)
Pen: Marriot