Alresford Victors Over Misfiring Hurricanes

The Hurricanes made the short trip up to outer Winchester to play Alresford RFC in the 15th round of fixtures in Hampshire Premier. This trip to Alresford has always been a tricky fixture for Sandown & Shanklin and Saturday was no different.

After a bright start from Sandown & Shanklin, strong carrying from W Williams, Smith and Rees took the away side up into the hosts half. The Alresford defence got into the Sandown breakdown and with poor support from the Hurricanes to clear out their own rucks, a string of penalties in favour of the home time resulted in Alresford gaining territory in the Sandown 22. The home side after being held out by the Sandown defence, elected to kick a penalty, for an early 3 - 0 lead.
The hosts then followed this up moments later with the first try of the game. After gaining territory in the Hurricanes 22, the home side gained possession from a line out, and then when the ball was played wide to a forward on a short line, the blindside barged over the try line. The try converted, Alresford increased their margin, 10 - 0.

A tumultuous first half got worse for the Hurricanes, when prop Darren Carew was sent to the sin bin, after conceding a number of penalties in a row. Yet, the islanders then played some of their best rugby of the half, the returning Joe Dove steering his forwards, and guiding the Hurricanes into the Alresford 22. With the Alresford defence on the retreat a number of penalties were accruing in the Hurricanes favour, and soon resulted in the host's captain being sent to the bin for consistent infringements. Off the top of a dominant line out, Wedderkop and Barrett got Sandown within striking range of the Alresford try line. Then following a series of strong carries from the forwards, Wayne Williams barged his way over the try line for Sandown's first try. Flux converted to cut the deficit, 10 - 7.

As the first half drew to a close, the Hurricanes were in the ascendancy, and further penalties allowed Flux to kick Sandown deep into Alresford territory. It was seemingly inevitable that the away side would score through the customarily strong catch and drive, but it was stopped short of the try line. Then inaccurate presentation from the away team presented the opportunity for the home side to spoil the ball and scramble it into the touch to bring the half to a close.

Following the half time interval, the Hurricanes picked up from where they left in the first half, by putting pressure on the Alresford defence from the off. Clever kicks by fly-half, Sam Tyson gained Sandown valuable territory and put the hosts under pressure. With young lock Damian Seder pinching possession in the Alresford 22. With another penalty coming Sandown's way, Flux kicked the penalty into the corner, and from the resulting lineout catch and drive, the Hurricanes were awarded a penalty try as the drive surged over the try line, and resulted in a yellow card for the hosts too. With not needing to convert the try, the Hurricanes lead the game for the first time, 10 - 14.

The lead was to be short-lived, as the home side looked to get back into the lead, a passive defence from the Hurricanes allowed Alresford to get into the Sandown 22 and gained them much needed momentum. As the opposition big forwards gained headway, one final charge saw the home side score, and a converted try edged them back in front, 17 - 14.

With plenty of time remaining, the Hurricanes could not find a way to break through, with a combination of ill-discipline, inaccuracy and wholehearted defence holding the away side at bay. Man of the Match Rob Newton Jnr, tried his best to get the Hurricanes going forward, doing well to beat defenders in the wide channel and using his impressive strength to hold his own. Young debutantes Alex Cole and Oliver Scovell made their first appearances from the bench, with Scovell impressing on his short time on the wing and Cole likewise with his energy when he came on.

In the absence of Director of Rugby Damien Marriott, 1st XV Captain Sam Flux shared his thoughts post-game:
"Credit to Alresford today, they worked hard and gave everything for the cause today, and congratulations for the victory. It is bitterly disappointing for us, especially as we were masters of our own downfall. Periods of good attacking rugby were undermined by poor discipline and inaccuracy from ourselves, and it is only ourselves to blame at the end of the day.
I have to mention a brilliant effort from Joe Dove today, coming back in and playing 80 minutes. Also congratulations to Alex and Ollie on their debuts. Hopefully the first of many for both lads".

Sandown & Shanklin now turn their attention to next weekend, when they welcome Farnborough RFC to the Fairway. A VP's lunch is on offer for VPs, so please contact Tommy Booth as soon as possible to book your place! Kick-off is at 2.00pm, with the Clubhouse bar open from 1.00pm. All are welcome to come and support the Hurricanes.