Hurricanes 2nd XV defeated on the road in a rough game

Saturday 17th February had the perfect rugby conditions as Shanklin & Sandown RFC travelled to Locksheath pumas for the days play. This fixture earlier on in the season ended in disaster for the now hosts losing 93-0 the reverse fixture, however, was a much closer affair.

An early hurricanes try scored by Ventnor 1st team hooker 'Tucker' after some great line-out work got the visitors off on the right foot. The stand-in place kicker Liam Little missed the conversion to leave it at 5-0. Locksheath then rallied and managed a scoreless 20 mins before a well choreographed move by Hurricanes scrum half, L Little, lead to an overlap. It looked to be the second score for the away side, only to be disallowed for a knock on over the line. After some sustained Locksheath pressure they managed a breakaway through the middle but returning full-back Harvey Kirby got back just in time for a try saving tackle. With the Pumas on the front foot they managed to eek a try over in the corner but did not get the extras.

After half time the game took a turn for the worse when Ryde no8 Josh Sayers received a red card for violent conduct and left the Hurricanes a man down for the remainder. Two Locksheath breakaway tries quickly followed, both from quick tap penalties. The hosts were now leading, and the margin could have been measurably larger if not for some more great work from fullback Kirby, journeyman centre Stephen Perfect and Ventnor flanker Kalvin. After a long second half for Sandown & Shanklin, they found some form and with a counter attack that was started by fullback Charles Little, whose great high-ball catch and mazy run ended up in a try for debutante Brodie Holland. The extras added by L Little put the final match score at 20-12 to Locksheath.