Hurricanes Weather The Storm To See Off Bognor Challenge

Monday, 9 January 2023 15:10

By Dominic Kureen @WriteOnDom

Shanklin & Sandown RFC came up trumps on home soil as they took on the elements to defeat Bognor on Saturday (January 7).

The Island club kicked off 2023 with emotions running high, following the wake of club icon, Graham Thomas, the day before this top of the table clash.

The hosts got off to an enterprising start, playing down the hill and with the wind at their backs, a series of penalties provided them with a lineout seven metres out from the Bognor try line.

The resulting catch and drive was ominous and captain, Zak Chiverton dotted down to open the scoring.

Anthony Burr’s conversion drifted just short in challenging conditions for the kickers.

Following the restart, the visitors fought back and after having the lion's share of territory in the Sandown 22, they eventually got their first score of the game.

Solid tackling from Dawson and Hunter keeping Bognor at bay for so long, until some smart handling from the visitors sent their winger into space to level the scores, 5 - 5.

The tricky conditions saw handling errors from both sides throughout the first period, with the Island side trailing 10-8 going into the break.

A brighter second period saw Shanklin & Sandown side — known as The Hurricanes — take total control of the match.

The irrepressible Chiverton revelled in the challenging conditions to lead his side to a comfortable 28-18 win, despite a flicker of a late comeback from the visitors.

Meanwhile, Wightfibre Man of the Match, Jacob Jordan, was at the heart of every attack, setting a devastating four-man move in motion, which resulted in one of a brace of tries for debutant Max Fletcher.

Director of Rugby, Damien Marriott, said:

“We made it very difficult for ourselves in first half, when we had the weather conditions in our favour, we attempted to play a little too much, which resulted in putting us under pressure.

"In the second half the boys really pulled it out of the bag, fighting against the conditions and the hill, it was an incredible turnaround to secure victory.”

This Saturday (January 14) sees the Hurricanes back in action as they travel to Alresford RFC, meanwhile the 2nd XV are also the road, as they travel to Southampton RFC.