On a big day for the club the Hurries seconds played their final league game of the season at home to the league winners Winchester, even though
they turned out a strong side they knew they were in for a tough game as Winchester on their day are by far the strongest side in the league. The game started well for the Hurries and the young backs prompted by Wightlink man of the match Richard Booth had the home side looking dangerous right from the start. They took the lead with a penalty from Alex Howard but Winchester capitalised on some sloppy play from Sandown
and went in to half time up by 28-3.
The second half was a different story and the scores were even throughout this period, Sandown scored after Lawrence Edmonston chipped ahead and then gathered himself, he then off loaded to Sam Dove who crashed through a couple of tackles to feed BJ Meats man of the match Ross McFarlane to score in the corner. Good performances also on the day from the experienced Bob Simpson, John Buckingham and Les Hudd and also from some of the younger players including Dan Robinson, Alex Hiscox, Luke Hunter and Ben Howard.
Things look good for next season and Sandown with a good mix of the more experienced players and the promising crop of youngsters coming through will look to try and improve on their fourth place from this season.

Sandown entertained Lytchett Minster who were touring on the Isle of Wight for the weekend. The away side set about the Hurries from the first minutes and it looked like it was going to be a long day for the home side as Lytchett scored early on. Sandown gradually worked their way back into the game and once the ball worked its way to the backs the Hurries started to cause problems of their own. Two first half tries from Dan Muir both converted by Lawrence Edmonston made the score at half time 14 - 15 to the visitors.

Sandowns fitness started to tell in the second half and further tries from Steve Crooks, Alex Hiscox and Luke Hunter with Edmonston converting two of the three took the scores to a rather flattering 33-15 for the Hurries. Good performances on the day from the strong running Wightlink man of the match Dan Muir and veteran prop and BJ Meats man of the match John Buckingham, this combined with rare outings for Pete Swallow, Eddie Perfect, Gary Buckingham and Steve O’Kell made it a good day all round for the Hurries.

Next Saturday the 2nd team end their league season with a visit from Winchester 3rds who are top of the merit league and haven’t looked like getting beat yet!!! This match is to fulfil the league fixture they cancelled earlier in the season. Kick off at 1.30pm.

Sandown travelled to Farnborough for their last away game of the season only for the away team captain to inform Hurries skipper Lawrence Edmonston that they only had 11 players. Eventually a game of 11 a side was agreed as some of the hurries squad had made the effort to travel. Steve Healey being the prime example and travelling from Bath especially for the game. The Hurries ran out comfortable winners of the now “friendly” game with tries from Adam Simler, Dan Muir, Dan Robinson, Henry Bagnell and veteran club captain John Coleman.
Sandowns second team have one remaining fixture at home to Basingstoke next Saturday.

AFTER the late cry-off by Isle of Wight, Sandown and Shanklin entertained two touring sides. First on was Hurricanes against Peninsula, from Exeter and Plymouth universities, who brought over 35 players. Will Baxandall scored with a drop goal but the visitors, with a display of open direct rugby, replied with three unanswered tries. The John Gilfillan man of the match award went to Luke Hunter, back after injury, with superb work rate. With the slope, the Hurricanes changed into second gear. Danny Muir scored a try after some fine fancy footwork, converted by Neil Buckingham. Then after slick passing across the field, winger Adam Simler scored. From a 5m scrum, scrum-half Richard Booth picked up, dodged the defence to score a try under the posts. Wightlink man of the match went to Dan Robinson, who provided some skilful linking play. Henry Bagnell then crashed through several defenders to score a try. Neil Buckingham kicked a drop goal from the halfway line but, in the dying seconds, the visitors had the last word with a try, for a 36-35 victory.

The second game was between Peninsula and Minety, from Swindon, who had some ex-Ryde School pupils in their team. In true tour rugby style, Mintey tried to overcome a slightly one-sided game by fielding at least 16 players on the pitch at any one time, this on occasions went up to 18. But the 15, fit and young, university players carried on scoring to win 58-0.

Sandown put in a good away performance on Saturday taking a squad of 20 players to Milbrook. The side consisted of a mixture of the clubs youngsters and a few of their more experienced players. Despite the strong Hurries side Milbrook were always in the game a never gave up despite the gap in class. The first half started with the Hurries dominating in the scrum, they were far stronger and more mobile than their mainland opponents with Wightlink man of the match Jo Rees along with Richard Henry, George Marrinelli, Ross McFarlane and the veterans John Coleman, Les Berry, Les Hudd and John Buckingham all prominent in attack. First half tries came from Jo Rees and Luke Chandler giving Sandown a half time lead of 12-5.

Kicking with the wind the away side upped the pace after half time and with Will Baxandall and Ross Edmunds directing the play in mid field this allowed Dan Muir, Alex Hiscox, James O'Kell and the impressive BJ Meats man of the match Luke Chandler to cause constant problems for the home side. The pace of the Sandown backs allowed Chandler and Rees to get their second scores of the afternoon and after a superb scrum from the Hurries pack skipper Lawrence Edmonston dived over from short range to complete the scoring.

The Hurries travelled to Trojans with a strong side and expected a better performance than the one they gave. The first half started with the home side pressuring the Sandown line but good defending from the Hurries in particular Wightlink man of the match Ross McFarlane and the ever reliable Les Berry, John Coleman, Bob Simpson and Les Hudd allowed the away side to supple fly half Simon Swallow the ball. His sensible kicking gave the away side good field position that unfortunately they didn’t use.

Sandown started the second half 10-0 down and this soon became 15-0. This sparked them into life and for the last 20 minutes they were camped in the Trojans half, two or three times being brought down short of the line by last ditch tackles. Sandowns only try came from a break from Dan Muir who fed Dan Robinson to out sprint the defending players to touch down, the try was converted by Lawrence Edmonston to make the final score 15-7 to the home side.

Sandown run out winners on Saturday but US fought all the way as the home side struggled to get going in a rather scrappy affair. Sandown dominated the first half but only went into half time with a 5-0 lead, the try coming from the Wightlink man of the match Greg Dean who crashed over from short range.

The second half started in the same way as the first with Sandown again not firing on all cylinders but improving as the half wore on but not before a converted try from the mainland side took them briefly in to the lead. Sandown then started to get on top and from strong forward play from second rows Pete Swallow, Keith Ross and back row Henry Bagnell and Ross McFarlane, Greg Dean scored two more tries to give the home side a comfortable lead. The last try of the day came when Steve Fisher found centre Simon Swallow and his pinpoint kick was collected by BJ Meats man of the match Josh Wetherick and he raced over to complete the scoring.

In a bad tempered affair Sandown 2nds were well beaten by a strong Portsmouth side reversing the comfortable win that the Hurries inflicted on Portsmouth earlier in the season. The only plus points on the day were full games for Ross McFarlane and Steve Healey both returning from injury and a good performance on the wing for newcomer Josh Wetherick. The Hurries play US Portsmouth next week at the Fairway and a much improved and more disciplined game is needed.

Sandown's second XV came out comfortably on top in this local derby with tries from Harrisson Booth (2), Josh Wetherick (2), Andy Frost (2) and Michael Henry sealing the win against a hard working and experienced Ventnor side.

Sandown travelled to Basingstoke with only 14 players after last minute problems but put in a superb battling performance to come away with the points. The home side set about the Hurries right from the first minute and camped themselves in Sandown half, good tackling form John Coleman, Les Hudd, Sean Goodfield and George Marrinelli kept the score at 0-0 until 15 minutes from half time when the Basingstoke number 8 scored from a scrum. This only spurred Sandown on and with the last play of the first half the experienced Wightlink man of the match Colin Potter kicked in to the corner for wing Josh Wetherick to out sprint his opposite number and touch down, half time 5-5.

Ten minutes in to the second half Basingstoke scored their second try making the score 10-5. This was the last time the Huirries were troubled and spent the rest of the game in their oppositions half, good running from Alex Hiscox, Ben Kullick and BJ Meats man of the match Richard Henry just failed to see a score, but with 15 minutes remaining fly half Simon Swallow released young centre Luke Chandler and his pace was too much for his opposite number as he raced over the line to touch down, skipper Lawrence Edmonston converted to make the score 12-10 to a jubilant Sandown side.

Sandown 2nds travelled to Winchester with the bare 15, the fixture was always going to be tough as the mainland side on their day are probably the strongest side in the league, but due to their unwillingness to travel away they don’t fulfil many of their fixtures. The game stared with the home side pressuring right from the first whistle. Sandown started very slowly and paid for it, shipping early tries mostly scored by the home sides lively backs. The only bright spot in the first half was a well worked try from George Marrinelli.

The second half was a different story with the Hurries upping their game and scoring the same amount of points as the home side in the half. Tries came from Richard Henry and Lawrence Edmonston. Good performances on the day from Wightlink man of the match Andy Frost and BJ Meats man of the match James Okell.

This years festive game was a mixture of Hurricanes, at one stage boasting 150 years in the front row, hosting the 'Vectis Under 21 team' in their inaugural match. The Vectis team was made up of players from all island clubs and some who had travelled from the mainland. In perfect conditions both sides wanted to play the expansive game and good defensive work by Vectis kept the the Hurricanes at bay in the early attacking play.
Hurries Wightlink man-of-the-match, Greg Dean, crashed over for the first try converted by Neil Buckingham. Then Hurries, George Marinelli started a move on half way and ended it with a superb try. In the dying seconds of the half, Vectis lock, NatWest man-of-the-match, Luke Hunter, picked up on a loose ball to score a try converted by Will Baxendall. Half Time 15-7.

In the second half, Vectis had the slope but a combination of poor options and good defensive work forced mistakes, and prevented their lively backs adding to the score. A large crowd cheered Vectis on, and in the final quarter they struck twice, Luke Chandler and Gerrard Robinson scored tries and Baxendall added what was an important penalty, 15-22. The Hurries Neil Buckingham scored a try to bring the scores close at 20-22 but Vectis hit back with a try by Alex Hiscock 20-27. Hurries finished off the game with a try by Daniel Hodgson but could convert it to draw the match. FINAL SCORE 25-27 to the youngsters and we all wish them all the best in future matches.

Vectis U21 photo >>

New Milton gained revenge for their defeat on the opening day of the season at the fairway. The Hurries fielded a side containing some of the current crop of promising youngsters mixed with a few more experienced players and pushed the strong New Milton side all the way. The home side attacked from the opening minute and scored 2 early tries that put the pressure on early. Sandown scored a try in each half, the first one coming from good pressure from the forwards in particular John Buckingham, Richard Henry and Ben Kullick that allowed skipper Lawrence Edmonston to release the backs and after good handling from Steve Fisher and BJ Meats man-of-the-match Luke Chandler, James Okell took the ball and crashed over from close range. The second try was much the same with Wightlink man-of-the-match Luke Hunter making the break and after quick handling the ball worked its way to the experienced Simon Swallow who touched down. Despite the defeat there were good performances from Sandown in particular wing Alex Hiscock and full back Dan Robinson whose strong running caused the home defence constant problems.

The Hurries 2nds bounced back from last weeks disappointing defeat at Andover with a comprehensive victory in atrocious conditions on Saturda. They completely outclassed the away team with a good display of rugby despite the wet and windy conditions. Sandown opened the game as they meant to go on putting, 40 points on the visitors by half time. Good play from the forwards in particular the Wightlink man of the match Harrison Booth, Richard Henry, George Marrinelli and Henry Bagnell enabled good ball to be supplied to the backs who constantly caused the visitors problems. Tries on the day were scored by Henry Bagnell (2), Tommy Booth (2), Andy Fletcher and BJ meats man of the match Dan Muir who ran in five superb tries.

Sandown took their unbeaten record to the only other unbeaten team in the league and were out muscled by their far bigger and stronger opponents. The home side have only suffered one home defeat in the last three years and that was inflicted on them last year by the visitors so they were intent on revenge from the first whistle.

The first half started with the home side pressuring the Sandown line and this resulted in a push over try and another two in quick succession after strong forward play. Despite good work from the Sandown forwards, in particular Wightlink man of the match Dan Hodge, Ben Kullick, Les Hudd, John Coleman and Richard Henry, the home side spent the first twenty minutes on the attack. Sandown eventually found a bit of form and for the last twenty minutes of the half the play was relatively even. Just before half time skipper Lawrence Edmonston took a quick tap penalty and broke towards the Andover line he then off loaded to Henry Bagnell who touched down in the corner to keep the Hurries within touching distance at half time 17-5.

The second half saw Andover pull away from the visitors but the Sandown backs, in particular scrum half Bob Simpson and centres Andy Fletcher and the BJ Meats man of the match James O'Kell, can hold their heads up as they tackled and worked tirelessly for the Hurries second string.

Next week sees Sandown at home to Farnborough 2.30 kick off.

Portsmouth came out for the second half with the slope and the wind in their favour and upped the pace of the game straight away, but the longer the game went the more Hurries second string started to take control. Strong play from the forwards in particular Les Berry, John Coleman, Ben Cullick and Richard Henry allowed scrum half Bob Simpson to supply good ball to skipper Lawrence Edmonston and with the experienced centre partnership of Wightlink man of the match Alan Morey and Dean Gasper, Sandown constantly threatened the visitors line. Second half tries came from Andy Fletcher, Alan Morey, young wing Luke Chandler and a second from BJ Meats man of the match Henry Bagnell secured the win for the home side.

Sandown just managed to edge a closely fought game on Saturday of which they failed to kill off their opponents when comfortably ahead at half time. An inspired second half performance from the visitors made the home side glad of the points they scored early on. Despite this the Hurries always looked good going forward and with a mixture of young and a few older more experienced players, things look good for the rest of the season. First half tries from young debutant Harrison Booth, skipper Lawrence Edmonston and Fly Half Steve Fisher took Sandown in to a 19-0 half time lead.

Trojans hit back in the second half and started to edge back into the game. Two vital tries in the second half won the game for the home side the first coming from young centre and Wightlink man of the match Luke Chandler. The second try was without doubt the best try of the game, Keith Mcloughlin picked the ball up inside his own 22 and moved the ball out through John Ring and Dan Robinson, the ball was then taken at pace by Centre Dan Muir who then superbly found NatWest man of the match George Marinelli who drew the last defenders and then popped the ball off for Nick Healan to crash over the line to seal the game for the Hurries.

Sandown travelled to Fareham with a mixture of youth and experience and came out winners on the day. The game was quite tight through most of the first half with the reliable boot of fly half Steve Fisher keeping the scoreboard ticking over for the away side, Sandown's only try of the first half came from good play from forwards Les Berry, Nick Healan, Frank Bagnell, John Coleman, Les Hudd and NatWest man of the match Ben Coolick resulting in a push over try from Wightlink man of the match Richard Henry. This made the score 13-8 at half time in favour of Sandown. The second try came after a superb kick in to the corner from John Ring which resulted in Richard Henry touching down in the corner. The final try of the day came from young centre Dan Muir who skipped his way past a couple of tackles to touch down under the posts.

A superb battling performance from Sandowns seconds saw them secure all the points against a strong US side. Most of the game was dominated by forward play with the US keeping the ball tight to stop Sandowns far more mobile backs getting into the game. Despite these tactics, centre Dan Muir and wings John Ring and Steve Crookes along with full back Michael Henry all looked dangerous when going forward.

The away side pack performed well on the day with Nick Healan, Wightlink man of the match Ryan Carey, Jo Rees and Steve Healy constantly causing the home team problems. Sandown can count themselves unlucky not to have scored a try in the first half as they had efforts from Richard Henry and Will Baxendale disallowed. Sandowns points came from 2 penalties superbly converted by NatWest man of the match Steve Fisher. This win keeps up a 100% record so far this season for Sandown.

In a clash of probably the two strongest sides in the league Sandown came out on top in this closely fought battle. Sandown opened the scoring through Wightlink man of the match Frank Bagnell who took the ball at full pace and crashed through the away sides defence to score. Straight from the kick off New Milton replied with a score of their own. Further tries were run in from centre Jo Dove, after good handling from Steve Fisher and Andy Fletcher and then after a quickly taken penalty from Lawrence Edmonston young wing Alex scored a good individual try taking the Hurries into a half time lead.

The second half was a different story with the away side pressuring the Sandown line for most of the half scoring two tries to bring them within a point with 10 minutes remaining. Only superb tackling from the home side by Coleman, Buckingham, Luke Hunter and the Henry brothers stopped New Milton taking the lead. Midway through the half Sandown had to reshuffle their pack when they lost veteran prop John Buckingham to a bad head injury but they rallied in the time remaining and from a mistake at the line out Les Hudd broke through to score in the corner. Then good pressure from Sandown forced one of the away sides forwards to knock on ten metres from the line and from the resulting scrum number 8 and NatWest man of the match Nick Healan raced in to put the game beyond the reach of the away team.