Sandown & Shanklin were back on the road this week, making one of their shorter away trips this season, as they travelled to Eastleigh. The Hurricanes aiming to bounce back after a disappointing first loss of the season, and the home side after drawing their fixture the week before. 
The opening score of the game didn’t take long to come about, as the organised home team took advantage of visitors lethargy and scored from a break at the scrum and Eastleigh’s flanker scored for an early lead 7 - 0. 

It didn’t take long for the Hurricanes to level the scores however. From a penalty the away side kicked the ball to touch and from the resulting lineout, the catch and drive was well formed and charged its way over the Eastleigh try line for Ben Shannon to score. The resulting conversion was missed by stand-in fly-half Sam Tyson, 7 -5.

This helped kick Sandown into life and it was long before they were in for their second score of the game. Some strong carrying from Ben Shannon and the returning Zak Chiverton, the Hurricanes Wightfibre Man of the Match, got them on the front foot. The ball was spun wide to the electric Ash Smith, who left multiple defenders in his wake to sprint home from the halfway line to score. Beau Bridgeman took on kicking duties, and converted to put Sandown ahead, 7 - 12. 

The hosts then rallied themselves and through some very organised play and pressure got themselves a second try of the game, 14 - 12. 
Sandown continued to play some expansive rugby, but often at the detriment of and expense of territory, which held them around their ten metre and halfway line. Nevertheless, the Hurricanes phase play led to line break from Luke Wedderkop, who broke from the halfway line to sprint into the Eastleigh 22. As the scramble defence chased back to catch him, he fed his centre partner Rob Newton, who scored under the posts. Bridgeman converted again to put the away side ahead again, 14 - 19. 

The final score of the half came the way of the hosts. They went back to their trusty lineout and maul, which was a useful weapon for them, and had been nullified well by the Hurricanes, through sacks and halting the maul. Unfortunately as the pressure grew, Sandown lost lock Damian Seder to a sin bin, Then with possession Eastleigh worked through their plays, and eventually had a number advantage outside. They used this to put their winger in outside to dot down, the conversion slid just wide, and at the halftime interval, it left the scores at 19 - 19. 
Following the resumption of the second half, it was Eastleigh who got the scoring underway for the second period, dotting down in the corner outside after exploiting the numbers again, 24 - 19. 
What followed after this was a sustained period of pressure from the Hurricanes, as they were camped in the Eastleigh 22, courtesy of the home side's ill discipline. Big carries from replacement Hugo Joliffe and Barrett, tested the hosts defence which held. Then from a later scrum, quick hands from Tyson and Wedderkop fed Newton, who barged through to score. Bridgeman converted, to level up the scores once more, 24 - 24. 
Following the restart, poor discipline from the Hurricanes provided the opportunity for Eastleigh to convert the penalty and edge themselves ahead, 27 - 24. 
From the restart the excellent Chiverton was able to regain possession and the Hurricanes set about attacking the Eastleigh defence again. As Sandown settled into their phase play, quick hands found Wedderkop who sliced his way through the defence to score himself and under the posts, Bridgeman converted again, 27 - 31. 
The Hurricanes were in pole position for the victory with around ten minutes of the game remaining. The home side began to throw everything at the Hurricanes, who withstood a lot of Eastleigh pressure. They managed to prevent one try as the attacker was denied in the corner. Unfortunately, failure to clear their lines fully, provided the home the chance to set a maul and drive over the try line for another change in who was leading the scoreboard, 34 - 31.

Minutes later the result was secured and the misery of letting the victory slip through their fingers was compounded for the Hurricanes. As a number of silly penalties cost the Hurricanes the chance to clear the lines and Eastleigh capitalised, extending their lead to 41 - 31. 
In the last minutes, replacement Sam Flux kicked a long range penalty to help accrue a losing bonus point, alongside the try bonus point for Sandown. Although there was a nervous final play of the game, as the restart came back to the visitors, who were seeking the opportunity to chase down a draw in the final play, the referee adjudged Eastleigh to win a penalty, with the chance to deny Sandown the losing bonus point, if converted. Fortunately the kick missed, leaving the final score 41 - 34. 

Sandown & Shanklin Director of Rugby, Keith Wallace, shared his thoughts after the final whistle: 
"It was great to have someone like Chiv back today, who had been on a beach for two weeks, he showed a phenomenal work rate. The lads had to dig deep at times but always were in the contest right down to the last whistle showing great heart and fight. It was a bitter pill to take, losing again after being in a position to win today. However, two bonus points on the road is nothing to be sniffed at, against such a well drilled team". 

Next week is a big weekend for the club as they host another double header down at the Fairway Ground. The 1st XV welcome Trojans RFC, for round seven in Counties 1 Hampshire. Meanwhile the Hurricanes 2nd XV host Tottonians RFC 3rd XV in a top of the table clash, as the 2nd XV aim to continue their perfect start to the season. 
The Club is holding a VP lunch for its members, if you haven't booked your place yet, please speak to VP Secretary Nick Martin. Also, we are holding our Halloween Party for all Hurries kids and families to join, from 13.30 - 15.30.