The Hurricanes were back at home for round four of Counties 1 Hampshire action, as they welcomed Bournemouth RFC 2nd XV to the Fairway Ground, for the first competitive fixture between the two teams. The hosts Sandown were aiming to continue their perfect start to the season, whilst the visitors were hoping to record a second victory of the season.

It was the home side that started the brightest and got onto the scoresheet first, having made their way into the Bournemouth 22 the Hurricanes had an attacking scrum on the visitors 5 metre line. The much changed and shuffled around pack had ascendancy in the scrum from the outset, and with the ball coming out of the scrum quickly, scrum half Beau Bridgeman collected position and bundled over the try line, Burr converted, 7 - 0.

From the resulting restart the Bournemouth kick didn't make the 10 metre line, so a scrum was called. From the back of this set piece, Wightfibre Man of the Match and Number 8, Michael Barrett picked up the ball and with a clever set play move, was able to provide him with the space to sprint and power home for the Hurricanes second score, Burr added the conversion for a 14 - 0 lead.

With Sandown ahead within ten minutes the visitors attempted to find a foothold in the game, and it seemed their only success was through their seconds row come lineout time. The much changed Sandown pack had six recognised front rowers in its makeup, and missing regular lineout jumpers Seder, Rees and Hunter, meant it was always going to be tricky in this department. This was no more exemplified, ironically for Sandown's third try. The hosts had been awarded a penalty which Burr kicked to the corner. With the resulting lineout picked off by the Bournemouth second row, they looked to turn defence into attack. However disaster struck when the ball reached midfield and was spilled between the two centres. Sandown's Rob Newton was quickest to react, and he collected the ball to score under the posts to extend the home side's lead. Unfortunately a second disaster was to follow shortly for Burr, whose conversion attempt missed from in front, 19 - 0.

Before the half hour mark the Hurricanes had secured the bonus point try. From a tap penalty, a fine forwards move found Ben Shannon on the carry, he managed to offload to Barrett, who then stepped would be tacklers to score his second try of the afternoon. Burr missed his second conversion in a row, but Sandown were further ahead, 24 - 0

Strong carrying from the Hurricanes forwards, notably Flux, Skelley, Chiverton and Carew, managed to help work the home side up the field. Sandown were denied to further tries that were held up up over the line, as Shannon and Carew both went close in separate attempts. Moments later fly-half Ant Burr scored off another strong Sandown scrum, as the play maker stepped inside the onrushing defence to dot down. This time around the stand off managed to convert the try, to send the home team into the half time interval, 31 - 0 ahead.

Following the start of the second half it didn’t take the Hurricanes long to score again. The restart failing to make the 10 metre line again so a scrum was elected by Captain Chiverton. From the result scrum the ball was fed wide to Ash Smith who used his electric pace to beat defenders and score beside the posts. Burr converted to push the Hurricanes ahead even further, 38 - 0.

It wasn’t all Sandown’s way however, the visitors rallied to try and get themselves some sort of consolation score. This came their way after Sandown were a little complacent with clearing their lines. The Bournemouth pack managed to smuggle the ball back on their side and were threatening the Hurricanes try line. After a number of powerful carries, they eventually managed to break through the Sandown defensive line to score under the sticks, 38 - 7.

The final score came from powerful centre Rob Newton. From another scrum set piece move, the ball made its way to Newton who stepped the defence to score himself. What was a man of the match premofnce from the centere was marked by unfortunately knocking the ball on with the try line begging moments later, also denying him a hat trick of tries. Burr converted to push the Hurricanes out to 45 - 7.

Sandown & Shanklin, Director of Rugby Keith Wallace shared his views after the game:
" I was delighted to see that even with a few personnel changes, we managed to keep building the momentum with another strong showing at home. It is a credit to the depth at the club and all those pushing for jerseys during the week for both teams, and has paid dividends with the position of both teams in the league table at the moment".

The Hurricanes have a break in the calendar this week, allowing injuries and players to recover from niggles, for what is set to be a busy and action packed run in to the end of the year.