Hurricanes battle against gale

Skipper Lawrence Edmonston won the toss and chose to play against the elements in the first half. This proved to be a good choice as the Hurries frustrated their opponents, with veterans Andy Fletcher and WIGHTLINK man of the match John Buckingham, the ever improving Sam Flux and Ben Kullick constantly turning over possession to allow the away side to clear their lines.

With twenty minutes gone, Winchester scored a converted try from a scrum close in to lead 7-0. Sandown patiently worked their way up field against the gale force wind and from a strong forward drive Edmonston fed the backs, and when Steve Crooks released Colin Potter there was no stopping the powerful centre from ten metres as he crashed over. This was converted by Edmonston to level the scores as the half came to a close.

The second half started and Sandown went straight on the attack, for the first fifteen minutes they pinned Winchester in their own half with Lawrence Keith, Richard Henry, Joel Carey and Steve Routledge all going close. The first score came when Potter switched the play to young Prop and BJ MEATS man of the match Arthur Buxton and he outpaced the defensive line to touch down in the corner, Edmonston again converted to put the Hurries 14-7 up.

This spurred the home side on and after the Hurries gave away a couple of penalties, Winchester worked their way towards the Sandown line. From a scrum close in they went over for an unconverted try 14-12. The rest of the match was spent in the Winchester half with the final try coming from Joel Carey, converted againn by Edmonston to give Sandown a well deserved win.

Report by Lawrence Edmonston