SANDOWN and Shanklin seconds ended the Hampshire Premiership South season with victory over Isle of Wight rivals Ventnor seconds on Saturday.
VENTNOR II 26, SANDOWN & SHANKLIN II 58
The Hurricanes were keen to prove they were promotion contenders in this local derby, while Ventnor sought revenge for their loss last December.
From the kick-off, Sandown provided organised rugby, with George Shannon breaking the line to score the first try.
Ventnor seconds (Image: Ventnor RFC) Rhys Mundell soon followed with the second, then Gary Warvill converted for a 0-12 lead.
Sandown's forwards excelled, helping scrum-half Liam Little provide quick service from the base.
Zak Chiverton capitalised on Ventnor's defensive gaps to score another try, with Warvill converting for 0-19.
After a sequence of penalties against Sandown, Ventnor scored their first try, through Tom Branagh, to cut the deficit to 7-19.
However, Wayne Williams responded for the Hurricanes, making it 7-24 at half-time.
The second half started with Ed Gurling's energetic play, resulting in another try for Shannon, converted by Warvill to extend the lead to 7-31.
Ventnor seconds and Sandown & Shanklin seconds in action. (Image: Hugh Griffiths)
Ventnor seconds and Sandown & Shanklin seconds in action. (Image: Hugh Griffiths) Ventnor responded with another try from Branagh, narrowing the margin to 14-31.
The Hurricanes then launched a series of attacks, with Chiverton and Mundell scoring two tries each, putting the result beyond doubt at 14-46.
Ventnor continued to fight, with Layton 'Layt the Great' Greatorex charging through the Sandown defence to make it 21-46.
Former Ventnor player George Finan combined with Harry Thomas for another Sandown try, converted by Warvill for 21-53.
Despite Ventnor's offensive efforts, man of the match, Jack Davey, frustrated the home side with his tackling and physicality.
Ventnor managed a final try, following a Sandown mistake, from Ben Souter, to reduce the margin to 26-53.
In the closing minutes, Sandown's clinical play forced a penalty on Ventnor's 5m line.
Co-captain Jamie Dilk, despite an injury, powered through the Ventnor defence to score the final try of the game — and the season — sealing victory.
After the match, Sandown co-captains, Jamie Dilk and Gary Warvill, praised the team for fighting "a great battle" with "brilliant defence and offence" and said the team had "a great season".
