Hurricanes kicked off against the elements and soon set the pattern for the match as the larger Sandown pack drove hard into the visitors half. With Chris Skelley back in the front row with Dan Blinkhorn and the ever improving Henry Bagnall, Old Tonbridgians were struggling in the scrummage.

Added power with Luke Hunter and Sam Flux in at locks saw an early drive and No 8 pick up by Sam Branston, stopped on the 22 metre line then a drive by back row Zak Chiverton and Sam Rees gave Dan Blinkhorn the chance to smash through three defenders for a first score, converted by Andy Gough for 7 nil lead.

From the restart Old T’s now set out their tactics with fast 7’s style running and quick moves away from contact. It was from a poor field of the restart by Hurries that gave the visitors their chance wide. Despite good marshalling of the defence, an overlap on the right bought their first try and closed the gap to 7 - 5.

Sandown soon struck back and Gough, feeding centre partners Luke Chandler and David Graham, forced Old T’s to defend. A number of mistakes gave Sandown field position and a break to the right by Sam Tyson joining the line from full back, lead to a lineout 15 metres out. From the drive Sandown wing Michael Baratt went close before Branston finished off the move for an unconverted try and a 12 to 5 lead.

Old T’s again targeted the Sandown receiver at the kick off and as before Hurries struggled to get out of their own half. Mistakes by the visitors gave Sandown a good platform to attack up field and Borrer and Barratt on the wings were busy in both attack and defence. Sandown drove off the back of a scrum on half way and from the feed to the back a poor kick lead to Old T’s attacking in numbers and at speed, scoring this time on the left wing to level the match.

Some good early box kicks from Michael Booth help Sandown out of their half but poor decisions on when to attack and when to kick in open play put the pressure back on Hurries. Sam Tyson was making good ground attacking from full back but others made poor option choices in when to catch and when to let the ball go dead.

Old T’s came strongly at the end of the first half and, from quick backs play, sealed the lead at half time with a try to lead 17-12 at the break.

Sandown, now down the hill and with scrum ball now coming against the head, set up camp in the Old T’s half. Despite some brave cover defence Hurries proved too powerful and a deserved try from Sam Tyson for his decisive support of the back, drew the teams’ level at 17 pts each as another conversion missed the target.

The visitors never gave up but tight defence kept them at bay with some better options in keeping the ball with the forwards giving good field position. Finally tries came as the busy Michael Booth and Sam Branston both crossed the line taking Hurries to a 27 to 17 lead and the try bonus point.

Michael Barratt’s kick chases for the backs and Henry Bagnall appearing to carry the ball at every opportunity stood out and Sandown finally moved off the bottom of the league table.

Next they travel to league leaders Andover with the 2nd XV in a double header league and Merit table clash. Sunday sees the Vectis Colts take on Havant at 1 pm Sunday before the televised Ireland v England game in the clubhouse. All welcome.

TEAM: Dan Blinkhorn, Chris Skelley, Henry Bagnal, Sam Flux, Luke Hunter, Sam Rees, Zak Chiverton Sam Branston, , Michael Booth, Andy Gough, Tom Borrer, Luke Chandler (Capt), David Graham, Michael Barratt, Sam Tyson

Try: Blinkhorn, Branston (2), Tyson, Booth
Con: Gough
Pen: (1)