The recent run of fixtures for Sandown & Shanklin 2nd XV ended with the home game against Fordingbridge 2nd XV. A day in which both clubs had both teams duking it out for bragging rights.

The game started off very cagey between both sides, as either team was not wanting to concede an inch and both defences proved difficult to break down. Heavy carrying by the large Fordingbridge forwards helped them make small gains in metres, before penalties at the breakdown turned over possession to the home team, who managed to get the ball to their backs after their forward pods tied in defenders. Getting around the Fordingbridge defence was a turning point for the Hurricanes, who made headway down the wings and after avoiding the touchline, accrued penalties as the visitors proved too enthusiastic to get involved in the rucks. The successive penalties were kicked to the corner and with superiority in the line out with co-MOTM Mitch Farrant reaching higher than the rest of the opposing team, he secured possession for the hosts deep into the Fordingbridge half.

The cheers were held off temporarily when a disallowed try was held up by an opposing defender, however, the first try was eventually scored by Greg Dean who barrelled over from ten yards to set the stall out for the home side. Extras added by Farrant who converted all tries in excellent fashion with conditions proving difficult, 7 - 0.
Fordingbridge hit back with a try of their own after many phases in the Hurricanes half. They gained this possession via ill-discipline at the breakdown from the home side. The resulting penalty was kicked deep into the Sandown half and pass off the back of the line out allowed the opposing Number 8 to crash over. Further penalties conceded by the Hurricanes led to chances at the posts which half were converted by Fordingbridge.

The following kick-off led to a fumbled knock-on after a great chase and pressure from the home side and the result was a scrum in a handy position for the hosts. A strong push by the whole pack gave the Hurricanes the chance to play down the blindside, and find Sam Buckingham and Harrison Fyffe who managed to latch together and get barge over the gain line. The visitor's defence again didn't retreat far enough around the breakdown and gave away a very kickable penalty to the home side, which Farrant duly converted.

The restart was secured by the Hurricanes forwards and created, quick ball for captain Little who slung a wide pass to Mike Cooper at fly half. Cooped then drew a defender to feed the other Man of the Match, Nathan Proud. The fullback sliced the defence and used his impressive speed to round the opposing fullback and score. This ended the scoring of the half for the home side who had to then weather a Fordingbridge storm late on. The travelling team hit back with two scores of their own from both visits to the home sides half and went into the half time interval leading.

The second half proved to be an excellent exhibition for grassroots rugby with fantastic rugby all round. Unfortunately injuries to Michael Cooper at fly-half and earlier Chris Perfect at prop as well as Bill Vatirewa at lock, enforced on Kurtis Whale for his debut at fullback, with Proud moving to stand off and Adam Tyas making his long-awaited return. Also, Joe Raggo came on at prop pushing Jack Winter into the second row. The rest of the pack consisted of Dan Sayers at his regular openside position and Arthur Buxton back at blindside flanker and looking sharp. Substitutes played their part all game for the home side, as Luke Gales and Neil Adcock were two more additions that spurred on the Hurricanes.

Later in the half, the box kick was utilised multiple times by Little to not only pin Fordingbridge back but also create an attacking threat. Linton Cider and Harrison Fyffe who both originally started on the wings impressed and looked threatening while Gales carried well off the bench, with Buckingham and the remaining Perfect, Stephen, in the centres. Sayers was back in scoring form after another storming run through the defence and into the opposition half where he used his speed to glide past the defence. With Fordingbridge scoring again and adding a penalty to go ahead the last ten minutes. It was a tense end to the game until Buckingham, who moments previously had damaged his shoulder, with a try saving tackle, was now at the other end scoring one after receiving a flat pass from Little. Great work from Buxton at the restart managed to regain possession for the home side, who were now in the ascendancy with Adcock and other ball carriers crashing over at will. After sustained pressure an attempt to slow the ball down by the visitors proved costly, a penalty was awarded to the hosts. Farrant having missed a penalty moments before, needed this to put his team ahead. With cool, calm composure, he slotted the game-winning kick in a game that will live long in the memory of those playing and watching. Final score, 37 - 34 to Sandown & Shanklin.

“Thrilling effort from all the lads and they really deserved the win. It's amazing to see how far they have come already in the season managing to dig in and grind out a result like this. The competition for places gets harder and harder every week with more lads training and excellent performances across the board earning the guys their spots. Couldn’t be prouder of them today, gave everything for the badge and really left it all out there, special thank you to Fordingbridge who we always seem to have great games against, they really made this hard and the pint at the end even more worthwhile. The guys should really enjoy the break although we’re still training on Tuesday” Liam Little