Sandown & Shanklin Rugby Club’s 2XV made the hour-long trip up to Farnham at the weekend where they blew away their competition with some incredible play throughout the 80 minutes.
The hosts kicked off but found themselves immediately under pressure from the Isle of Wight side. Sayers found a gap in the defensive line and sprinted clear, touching down for the first score of the game. An early counter punch lead, 0 – 7.
This was exactly what was needed from the away side and sparked them into life. Following several phases, the ball was spun wide through the hands with Dove finding Flux outside who then offloaded to Farrant for his first score of the day. The conversion missed, but the visitors were up 0 – 12.
2 further tries were scored, the first from Greg Dean who peeled off the back of the scrum to stretch over the line and score. The second was a second for Sayers, this time from short range with a powerful crash ball to surge over the line. Both conversions were good by Farrant, presenting a 0 – 26 lead.
Unfortunately for the home team, 3 more tries were scored by the Hurricanes as their quicker and more alert backs found space almost at will. The first from winger Sam Buckingham, showing strength and speed to hand-off opponents and slide over. Next was a Charles Little score that summed up the excellent handling and ability from the Sandown side on the day. The final score of the half came from Dove, following more offloading by Flux in the middle of the field. Farrant convert 2 out of 3, to finish the first half, 0 – 45.
The start of the second half carried on from the first with quick play finding Newton Jr who dummied the opposing centre and ran in from 50 yards to score, 0 – 50.
The pick of the tries came moments later, from the youngest member of the team Mitchell Farrant. A clever run by Charles Little who smartly passed to Woody, who then offloaded to the supporting Farrant, to score under the posts. Farrant then converted his own try to provide a 0 – 57 lead. Subsequently, Sayers then completed his hat-trick, shrugging off defenders and scoring impressively, 0 – 64.
Farnham did hit back with a score of their own. After a period of pressure near the Hurries try line the defence could not stop the Farnham drive for their only score of the game, 5 – 64.
The final try came from Josh Wetherick running a clever angle dissecting the Farnham defensive line. Conversion added and with 10 conversions out of 13, Farrant proved deadly from the tee. All in all, a cracking victory for the mighty Sandown & Shanklin 2nd XV.
Farnham RFC 4th XV 5 – 71 Sandown & Shanklin RFC 2nd XV
You can read the full match report on the SSRFC website
This weekend (Saturday 30th March) is a week off from league action. There is a Sandown & Shanklin RFC Inter Club game following the 1st XV being awarded the home walkover in their fixture against Alresford RFC. The Club is also hosting Vectis RFC U14’s as they welcome Havant RFC U14’s to the Fairway, kick off at 13:00. This is followed by the Hurricanes Probables vs Possibles at 15:00. A BBQ for all afterward.
