HURRIES GO TOP OF THE LEAGUE BY BEATING CLOSEST RIVALS BASINGSTOKE

Sandown & Shanklin RFC have gone top of Hants County 2 after vanquishing Basingstoke by a 40-point plus margin on Saturday (13th January). In the 1st half, the home side raced to a 19-point lead, scoring 3 tries without reply. Max Fletcher opened the scoring for the Hurries in the 17th minute by sidestepping 2 opponents to get the ball over the try line (5-0). Michael Barrett then increased the hosts’ lead to 7 points by powering his way to a converted try in the 36th minute (12-0). 2 minutes later, George Finan added a 3rd 1st half try for the home side by sprinting his way down the line before placing the ball under the posts (19-0) Half time: Sandown & Shanklin RFC 19-0 Basingstoke

The Hurries moved up a further gear in the 2nd half, scoring a further 27 points in ruthless style. The half began with the home side being awarded a penalty under the posts, which was converted by Fletcher (22-0). 6 minutes into the 2nd half, the hosts were awarded a penalty on Basingstoke’s try line, which was quickly taken and powered over by Adam Warner (29-0). ‘Stoke did not give up without a fight with Taylor Stranney scoring a consolation try in the 53rd minute (29-5).

The remainder of the afternoon belonged to the Hurricanes. Matt Miselbach scored the home side’s 5th try, placing the ball in the corner after an overlap in the 64th minute (36-5). Sandown’s 6th try came courtesy of Matt Fletcher, who danced over the line 5 minutes from full time after his side had been awarded a penalty at the scrum (41-5). The Hurries’ 7th and final try came courtesy of Matt Miselbach, who ran through some tired and no doubt dispirited ‘Stoke defenders 2 minutes before the full-time whistle (46-5)

Full time: Sandown & Shanklin RFC 46-5 Basingstoke Sandown & Shanklin RFC: Tyas, Chiverton, Shannon, Hunter, Seder, Barrett, Miselbach (c), Bridgeman, Marriott, J. Wedderkop, Eston, L. Wedderkop, Smith, Fletcher Replacements: Booth, Jordan, Finan After the game, Hurricanes Director of Rugby, Damian Marriott, said:

“We weren’t expecting such an overwhelming victory. We’ll take a scoreline like that against a top team any day. “The 2nd half made all the difference. Damian Seder bossing the line outs gave us the platform we needed to play. “After a scoreline like that, we fancy our chances of promotion. However, Guernsey and Fordingbridge will prove difficult opponents.”

Hurricanes’ victory leaves them top of Hampshire Counties 2 with 44 points from 10 games, 4 points ahead of 2nd-placed Basingstoke. Hants Counties 2 table below: