Hurries secure bonus point

Sandown travelled to the Hampshire side with a near full strength squad following the Xmas break including the Carey brothers, both returning from long term injuries. Joel Carey stepped in at scrum half with the late withdrawal of the ill Michael Booth and made a decent job of marshalling the pack.

Eastleigh began the brighter keeping Hurricanes pinned in their half with good kicks giving the back three of Robinson, Graham and fullback Muir plenty to do. WIGHTLINK man-of-the-match, Dan Muir counter attacked with good support from the back row of Jones and Pacey and Joe Rees, who seemed to be everywhere on the pitch.

Eventually Eastleigh were awarded a penalty for off side at a ruck and converted to take a 3 nil lead. This spurred Sandown into action and soon after the restart fly half Bodrell found Chandler on a strong run and from the ruck Hurricanes were awarded a long range penalty for off side by the home side. Baxandall dispatched the long range kick to tie the scores 3 all.

The remainder of the half saw both defences tested and 4 penalty chances for Eastleigh 2 converted gave them a 9-3 lead. Sandown made changes before and at the break bringing on Ryan Carey for Matt Jones, Luke Hunter for Nick Heelan and Sam Tyson on for Graham.

Hurricanes started the second half well in the lineout with VIKOMA man-of-the-match Ben Kulik hitting the jumpers throughout the game. Good drives from the line outs put Sandown deep into the Eastleigh 22 and from a number of phases the ball was struck sweetly by Gavin Bodrell for a drop goal score now 9 to 6. Sandown now pressured the home line and for persistent ruck offences their blind side flanker was yellow carded.

Despite all the possession Hurries were unable to take advantage of the extra man and upon his return Eastleigh kicked cleverly out of defence and from a mid field attack caught Sandown on the back foot ending with Ryan Carey receiving a yellow card for a team offence not attempting to roll away from the tackle and an attempt on goal going wide.

Eastleigh though came back again on the attack and from a charged down kick clearance scored in the corner. A fine conversion added the extra points and as before this season Sandown chasing a 16 to 6 deficit.

With Carey returned and the now injured Joe Rees leaving for Nick Heelan to return, Sandown worked hard to gain field position. A number of rucks and fine charges from Baxandall, Chandler and Bodrell , lead to a ruck offence on the left side of the home teams 10 line.

With only two minutes remaining Baxandall again stepped forward and the long range kick sailed through the posts to reduce the gap to 7 points at 16 – 9 giving Hurricanes the loosing bonus point.

TEAM: Skelley, Kulik, Eldridge, Heelan, S Rees, Jones, Pacey, J Rees (CAPT), J Carey, Bodrell, D Robinson, Candler, Baxandall, Graham, Muir, Hunter, R Carey, Tyson.

Penalty: Baxandall (2)
Drop Goal: Bodrell