By Isle of Wight Observer
Sandown & Shanklin Hurricanes finished the season in winning form, securing a 52-5 victory away at Winchester, with tries from Micheal Barrett (2), Rob Newton (2), Harry Thomas, Sam Flux, Tom Marriott, and Freddie Sheath. Zak Chiverton added six conversions, with the win securing fifth spot in Counties One.
After the match, coach, Keith Wallace, said: “What a phenomenal performance to end the season. It was nothing less than the boys deserved, and a real testament to the hard work they have put in throughout the year. With free-flowing attacking rugby making it an attractive display from start to finish, it was a performance that could only be admired by both sets of supporters.”
Ventnor’s 7s team took part in their first tournament of the summer, playing in The Sunshine Sevens at East Grinstead, and reaching the plate final. They were disappointed not to take advantage of a strong start and early lead. The full squad was: Tom Branagh (capt), Pat Banks, Harry Bexon-Stone, Jesse Butchers, Joe Coghlan, Rhys Cole, Josh Ford, Cody Hayman, Max Henley, John Waghorn, and Harvey Wheeler.
The Islanders used the competition as a warm-up ahead of this weekend’s quarter-final of the Community Plate, when they would have faced Old Glynonians in Epsom, who have now conceded. The win sees a semi-final at Watcombe on 9 May.
Women’s rugby
Wootton hosted an inter-county touch rugby tournament, with teams from Andover, Farnborough, Winchester, New Milton, and Hampshire Barbarians. There was a pirate theme on display during the closely-contested competition.
Andover topped the table at the end of the event, with Wight Wolves in fourth place, following wins against Farnborough and the Barbarians. The Island side included Phoebe Tombleson, Sam Anderson, Emma Victoria, Emma Buckett, Daisy Chapman, Claire Mumford, Izzy Butcher, Tess Wells and Flora Lockey.
Youth
Watcombe hosted a Minis Meet Up competition, with more than 300 children, aged from six to 11, and sides from Wanstead, Salisbury, Havant, Beccehamian from West Wickham, and Vectis. Vectis U12s beat Wanstead 6-2 in the opening match, followed by a win over Havant.
Vectis under-10s visited Worthing RFC, entering two teams in the tournament and returning home with six wins from seven matches.
Coach, Allan Bridges, said: “I couldn’t have been prouder of the group. A lovely day to coach a squad full of players all doing their very best to make sure everyone was involved. Vectis U10s are a very special group of players.”