By Isle of Wight Observer
In a high-scoring and entertaining match, a strong and disciplined Sandown & Shanklin Hurricanes II overcame Ventnor II 58-26 at Watcombe Bottom, to finish second in Hampshire Premiership South.
The Hurries took the lead through a George Shannon try, with young forward, Rhys Mundell, adding a second. Gary Warvill converted for 12-0, spurring a reply from Ventnor newcomer, Tom Branagh. Power runs came from Will Broomfield and Harvey Wheeler. Sandown scrum, Liam Little, kept pressure on the Ventnor defence, with scores for Zac Chiverton and Wayne ‘Wonder’ Williams seeing the score 24-7 at the break.
George Shannon scored his second try of the day for the visitors, to see debutant, Tom Branagh, played in by Luke Steele and Ben Souter for Ventnor for 31-14. Zac Chiverton then scored his second try, followed by Rhys Mundell’s double to complete his hat-trick for 46-14. Layton Greatorex (Layt-the-Great) crossed for Ventnor, with player-of-the-match Jack Davis converting. Sandown responded through ex-Ventnorian, great George Finan, fed by Harry Thomas. Forty-year-old co-captain, Jamie Dilk, scored the final try of the season to see Sandown win 58-26.
After the final whistle, Sandown & Shanklin RFC, 2nd XV co-captains, Jamie Dilk and Gary Warvill, said: “The lads fought a great battle today with brilliant defence and offence. Everything clicked and we proved to ourselves it doesn’t matter who we play or how many different players from different teams come together to try and beat us, it just won’t happen. It’s been a great season for the lads, and today summed that up for us.”
This weekend, the Hurries 1st XV travel to Guernsey II in Division One, IW visit Fordingbridge in Division Two, and Ventnor travel to Andover in Division Three.