Sandown & Shanklin travelled to Ventnor for the final game of the season in a local derby where Sandown wanted to prove to the whole league that they should be in contention for promotion. The hosts, on the other hand, wanted to get revenge for the loss they suffered at Sandown the last time they met in December 2024.

The game started and straight from the kick off the Hurricanes started to play organised rugby, passing along the back line and racking up phases, it wasn’t long before George Shannon broke the defensive line and scored the opening try of the afternoon, 0 - 5, the conversion missed. The home side were carrying strong and direct and making good in roads , that was until the visitors won a penalty at the breakdown. Moments later young forward Rhys Mundell barged through a gap to put the ball down in the corner, to cap off another great worked try.
Gary Warvill converted this time with ease, 0 - 12.

With the possession going back and forth between the two sides, excellent work from the Sandown forwards winning scrums and line-outs, made it easier for scrum half Liam Little, to provide precise and quick service from the base. This was exemplified none more so than for, Zak Chiverton, who scored a wonderful try exposing Ventnor's weaknesses through the middle. Co-captain, Gary Warvill converting the third try of the afternoon, 0 - 19. Despite being the Hurricanes being in the ascendancy, it was the hosts turn to score next. After a sequence of penalties against the Hurricanes, the home side obtained the first try of the afternoon, 7 - 19. This moment of glory for Ventnor was short lived, as Wayne “wonder” Williams did what he does best, and battered his way through the home defence, to score before the half time whistle, 7 - 24.

The restart saw the ball claimed by the opposition, however, was soon chased down by the energetic Ed Gurling who had a solid performance consisting of great tackling and hustling for the ball all game. Moments later, possession made it's way to the influential George Shannon, who once again scored, his second try of the day. Warvill converting to extend the Sandown advantage, 7 - 31. From the restart, the home side fired back, and got back on the offense and won another penalty ,this time ten metres from the Sandown try line. This presented Ventnor the opportunity to score, which they duly took with both hands, 14 - 31. The Hurricanes then fired back themselves with a real salvo of attacking play, and putting the result to bed. The first came to the Chiverton, for his second of the afternoon. Then followed by Mundell who got another two tried for his own tally, and notch up a superb hat-trick, and cementing the Hurricanes class and ability of the season, 14 - 46.

The home side never gave up and managed to get the ball into the hands of the notorious “Layt the great”, who charged through the Sandown defence, making the score, 21 - 46, into the final quarter of the game.
Former Ventnor player George Finan, then took centre stage and showed his class, combining with Harry Thomas to score a great try in the corner, which was cheered by all the supporters. The conversion made by Warvill, 21 - 53. The Hurricanes had to move into rear-guard action, as Ventnor again came on the offense once again, however; tackles, jackals, and abrasive physicality from Wightfibre Man of the Match, Jack Davey, helped frustrate and hold the home side off. Nevertheless, the relentless hosts, managed to squeeze a final try, following an unfortunate mistake from the Sandown back line, which narrowed the margin, 26 - 53.
In the final minutes looming the Hurricanes were the more professional team, showing off their clinical ability, running phase plays and slick over laps. Ventnor couldn’t handle the pressure from Sandown, giving away a penalty on their own five metre line. Possession was given to injured and 40 year old Co-Captain, Jamie Dilk, who battered his way through the Ventnor defence, to score the final try of the game and the season, 26 - 58.

Sandown & Shanklin RFC, 2nd XV Co-Captains, Jamie Dilk and Gary Warvill, shared their thoughts after the final whistle, and the conclusion of their season:
"The lads fought a great battle today with brilliant defence and offense, everything clicked and we proved to ourselves it doesn’t matter who we play or how many different players from different teams come together to try and beat us it just won’t happen. It's been a great season for the lads, and today summed that up for us".