Saturday saw the Hurricanes renew their old rivalry against New Milton RFC.
Sandown kicked off and had the hosts under some pressure. However after a few opportunities, New Milton cleared their lines. A later lineout was stolen, but Michael Barrett ripped possession from the opposition flanker and sprinted in under the posts for an early score, which Burr converted (0 – 7).
Minutes later, as the Hurricanes pressurised the New Milton 22 again, disaster struck the visitors. Captain Sam Rees was taken off the field with what seemed a suspected broken wrist, which then later was confirmed. Young prop Ben Booth was also removed from the field with a neck injury. A reshuffle was required and young flanker Sam Thomas, alongside forward Hugo Jolliffe, entered the fray.
Despite the long break and disruption, it was the Hurricanes that capitalised. Following indiscretions at the breakdown, 2 New Milton players were shown yellow cards and sent to the sin bin.
Off the lineout, Wightfibre Man of the Match, Damian Seder, who ruled the skies all afternoon, secured possession. The ball was spun wide, and an excellent pass from centre Tyson found winger Ash Smith, who outstripped the New Milton defence for speed to dot down. The conversion was just wide from Burr, the margin extended for the visitors (0-12).
Sandown maintained territorial pressure and, as the game passed through the half hour mark, the away side notched up their 3rd score of the afternoon. Running through a number of phases of play, with forwards Flux, Joliffe and Chiverton carrying hard, the final carry from Barrett to offload to Newton, who then charged in under the posts, increased the Sandown advantage even further. Burr added the extras (0 – 19).
Half time: New Milton 0-19 Sandown & Shanklin
The 2nd half continued in the same vein as the end of the first half, with the home side desperate to find a score to gain a foothold. But again, the Sandown defensive efforts repelled the New Milton attacks.
Once the visitors had withstood the waves of attack, they were able to capitalise on breakdown penalties and break on the home sides defence. Excellent running from the backline, notably Tyson, A Smith, and Newton gained valuable territory. Then, a break from Barrett eventually lead to a penalty for Sandown, converted by Burr, to push their lead to 0 – 22.
The 4th try of the afternoon for the Hurricanes was not far away. A miscommunication and inaccuracy at the resulting New Milton lineout, fell into Zak Chiverton’s hands, who had the easiest of walks to score, as the opposition all stood in disbelief. Burr missed his conversion, but the try bonus point was in the bag for the away team (0 – 27).
The Hurricanes recorded an important victory on the road, but as some cost with injuries.
Full time: New Milton 0-27 Sandown & Shanklin
After the game, SSRFC Director of Rugby Keith Wallace said:
“That was a phenomenal defensive effort from all 18 men that travelled over today. To keep a side like New Milton, on their on patch, to nil, especially away from home is no mean feat, and chucking in their result last week, we had to be on our toes.
“It’s a great performance all round, despite the unfortunate injuries to Reesy and Ben, but hopefully they don’t turn out too serious.”
Next Saturday, the 1st XV continue their season, welcoming Portsmouth RFC to the Fairway Ground for round three of Hampshire Counties 1 action, for a scheduled 15:00 kick-off.
The Hurricanes 2nd XV finally get their season underway with an away trip to Millbrook RFC 2nd XV, an important fixture that may go someway to dictate the league standings.
