On a fine late autumn afternoon the Hurricanes welcomed league rivals Fordingbridge RFC to the Fairway, for a clash between the 2nd and 3rd best sides in Hampshire Premiership. Sandown & Shanklin RFC looking to consolidate and extend their three point lead over the visitors in league table, ahead of their cup game a week later.

Fordingbridge got the upper hand early on, however after a few phases were turned over by the Hurricanes defence. This gave the opportunity for the home side to clear the lines and begin to attack themselves. A typically strong line catch and drive saw the hosts march up the field and gain good field position. As the maul was halted, the ball was spun wide into the midfield and Jack Wedderkop crashed into the Fordingbridge defence. As the hosts forwards came around the corner the visitors defence started to become stretched. Following another wave of attacks, fly-half Cameron Mitchell gathered the ball and stepped his way through the defensive line to dot down under the posts. Flux converted for an early 7-0 lead. The visitors, struck back almost immediately following the restart of the game. The Hurricanes were on the attack in the Fordingbridge 22, yet following a spilled pass the home sides defence switched off. The counter attack from Fordingbridge got them into the Sandown 22. After a succession of penalties against the Hurricanes, Fordingbridge ended up with a lint out on the Sandown five metre line and following a line out maul held up by the defence another drive from the visitors got over the line for their first score, 7-5.
The momentum was in favour of the Hurricanes now, but a yellow card to flanker Harry Hopper, meant that their impetus was somewhat halted whilst being down to 14 men. Nevertheless, this didn't stop the Hurricanes scoring next, when hooker Zak Chiverton powered through the defence to score, with Flux converting, 14 - 5.
The home side were now in the ascendancy and came at the Fordingbridge defence again. Two missed opportunities alluded Sandown & Shanklin, first when Tyson chased through a kick but the bounce of the ball escaping his hands. Then the second with another sweeping move around the blindside with winger Josh Wetherick just unable to claim the ball the with the try line beckoning. Despite these chances, another round of pressure from the home side this time found Ben Shannon barging his way through the defenders to get on the scoreboard, 19 - 5. Flux followed the third try up with a penalty to put the Hurricanes in a commanding 22 - 5 lead. Yet, the end to end style of the game could not be stopped. As the visitors gained momentum themselves, they could not be stopped for their second try just under the posts, and with the conversion going over, cut the deficit to 22 - 12. Still it was the home side who finished the half with a flourish, with a lovely move involving both the forwards and the backs. It created and overlap which Sam Tyson fed winger Harry Miselbach to score in the corner, and become the 20th try scorer of the season for the 1st XV. This sent the Hurricanes into the half time break with a 27 - 12 lead.

Both sides after the break, set about trying to secure the result in their favour and continued the excellent quality of rugby from both sides. Fordingbridge enjoying extended periods in the Hurricanes half and attacking the Sandown 22 with increased intensity. The Hurricanes suffered two further yellow cards in the space of 5 minutes. The first being Ben Shannon, after the team were warned to get keep the hands out of the rucks. The second minutes later was Harry Miselbach suffering a similar fate to Ben earlier. Despite being down to 13 men the Hurricanes managed to hold out for 15 minutes. Then with the space out wide the Fordingbridge back line managed to out flank the defence and score. The conversion was missed, the away side cut the deficit to 27 - 12.
As the Hurricanes battled to maintain their lead, whilst being down to 13 men, strong tackling and defence from Harry Hopper and Zak Chiverton was keeping the Fordingbridge attackers at bay. However, the effort could not be sustained and the Bridge number 8 slipped through tackles to dot down. The conversion slid wide, but Bridge were turning up the heat on Sandown & Shanklin, 27 - 17.
Once the Hurricanes were back up to their full complement, they began to come back toward their phase play rhythm although the Fordinbridge staunch defence at the breakdown was hurting the momentum. Following some more meaningful carries from messrs Flux and Rees, the hurricanes were starting to make headway. This allowed Martin Richomme to carry through the defence, and after several tacklers slipped off him, he sprinted through to the line and scored under the posts. Flux converted and extended the lead, 34 - 17
The visitors struck back literally moments later, securing themselves the try bonus point for their efforts, and the game was really beginning to open up in the last ten minutes, 34 - 22. After reclaiming possession in the Fordingbridge 22, another strong carry from Flux set up a promising position. As the ball came out to Sam Tyson, he dropped a goal to turn up the Hurricanes momentum and increase their margin, 37 - 14.

The game concluded moments later, when scrum-half Jacob Jordan kicked the ball off the field. There is a great respect between the two sides, as both always put on entertaining and open games, and look to play expansive and exciting rugby. The return fixture to New Forest based side is highly anticipated, and will undoubtedly throw up another exciting game. Simply brilliant rugby.

Director of Rugby, Damien Marriott, reflected on the game from the Hurricanes:
"Fordingbridge have some fantastic players out there today and a very good back line. The lads stood up to the challenge really well and did a great job in the tackle area we slowed their ball down and frustrated them. Yes, we had three yellows but we all knew are roles to give us more time to get organised. We also backed our strengths and with our defensive organisation on point we got into great shape.
It was a big for us and we take huge confidence going forward I can only see this young squad getting better”

With the Hurricanes picking up two victories this weekend, their attention now turns to the third round of the Junior Vase, when they make the mammoth journey to North Kent to take on Gillingham Anchorians, who sit in 2nd place in Kent 1. It is hoped that a coach will take players and supporters to the game. If you would like to know more, please stay tuned to the website and our social media channels for more information. There will also be the inaugural Friday Night Lights on the island on Friday 23rd November, being held at Isle of Wight RFC. For more information follow the link - Friday Night Lights