Sandown began the first home league fixture of the season with real promise dominating field position and possession. Despite this, points were hard to register and two missed penalty shots were frustrating for Hurries. The referee, on exchange from Berkshire, picked up on the early infringements by Eastliegh but Sandown seemed unable to convert this to points.

Returning front row of Tom Pacy settled quickly and with Ben Kulik and Todd Eldridge gave a solid platform. Damian Marriott and Gavin Bodrell linked well at half back but neither the pack nor the backs seemed able to control the game and score. Centres Robinson and Chandler came closest before mid way through the half broken play set up the first score. Tidy work by back rows WIGHTLINK man-of-the-match Joe Rees and Sam Tolley gave early position for the back to feed Will Baxandall to feed VIKOMA man-of-the-match Andy Gough who beat his opposite number and score with a run to the top corner. The try unconverted

Sandown began to concede position and Eastleigh gained in confidence. Back three of Tom Monks, Will Baxandall and Andy Gough now had to cover tackle to keep Sandown ahead and deal with the aerial threat from high kicks into the difficult sun. The fine open side flanker for Easleigh lead the visiting forwards with determination and as half time approached the Sandown pack began to give ground at the scrums.

The experienced Harris came on to settle the forward drive but in the last play of the first half Eastleigh were able to break towards the Sandown line. Good tackling stopped the first assault on the Hurries line but the pressure proved too much and a break to the right lead to a score for Eastleigh in the corner and a 5 point draw at the interval.
Sandown regrouped at half time and started brightly but seemed determined to kick away the position they had to little effect.

Michael Booth and Sean Williams were introduced for Damian Marriott and Ben Kulik as the rolling replacements allowed this season helped to refresh the players. Eastleigh though continued to press and from lie out ball strung together several phases before scoring through the mid field and converted to lead 12 to 5. Sandown now chasing the game made simple handling errors to give position to the visitor and from a ruck in front of the posts Jo Rees was penalised and yellow carded following a warning to the whole Hurries team. Eastliegh converted the penalty for a 15 to 5 lead.

As with last week reduced to 14 players this seemed to galvanise the Hurricanes. The pack won line out on the half way and from the drive made some ground before Sam Tolley broke in field. The backs then ran the ball to the right where following a quick recycle from a tackle spun the ball now to the left and reached Andy Gough tight to the touch line to score in the corner for the best finish this season. And close the scores to 10 to 15. The game now seemed to stagnate as both packs pressed hard with neither taking control as Sandown move to a second disappointing defeat at the start of the season.

TEAM: Tom Pacy, Ben Kulik,, Todd Eldridge, Luke Hunter, Dave Woolfenden, Sam Rees, Sam Tolley, Jo Rees (CAPT), Damien Marriott, Gavin Boderell, Andy Gough, Dan Robinson, Luke Candler,, Will Baxandall, Tom Monks, Ricky Harris. Shaun Williams Michael Booth

Try: Andy Gough (2)