By Isle of Wight Observer
Sandown & Shanklin Hurricanes got back to winning ways with a 73-27 Counties One home win over Trojans at Fortress Fairway, with a dominant display at line-out and scrum. Anthony Burr and Tom Marriott controlled the midfield with fine distribution and territorial kicking.
Driving runs from Luke Wedderkopp and Zak Chiverton, supported by buoyant backs, saw the scoreboard tick over. The kicking of Anthony Burr added to Sandown’s dominance, with bonus points ensuring the Island side remain in second place in the league.
Ventnor are celebrating a 24-7 away win at Overton in Counties Three, with director of rugby Neil Evans bringing in debutants Henrik Brown, Jonah Lewin and Alec Bulpitt, with Iain Reeves and Olly Wood in their second starts. Overton took an early lead, but Ventnor’s Ben Souter frequently found Ben Cooper who fed his forwards, harnessing the power of Dan Lythgoe, Jewy Jones and skipper Ben Savill to lead an onslaught securing territory and penalties. This set up a platform for player-of-the-match Lewy Morton to burrow over for a try, which Ed Blake converted for 7-7. Sub Tim Davis, on for Reeves, helped a move that saw Blake power through for a score, followed by centre Layton Greatorex driving through to end the half 17-7 ahead.
Pride and dogged defence saw Overton counter Ventnor’s persistent pressure. A turnover saw Cooper passing to Alec Bulpitt, finding Greatorex again to score his second and secure a bonus point. Blake’s conversion saw the match end 24-7 to the Islanders.
Sandown’s 2nd XV won 44-12 at home to Tottonians in the merit league, with the Islanders joint top of the table with a game in hand.
Ventnor 2nd XV lost 70-7 away at Millbrook, with Luke Ottley’s debut a highlight and player-of-the-match Will Broomfield getting a deserved score. Skipper Jack Rushton led a scrum front row, of Gary Ball and Brad Francis, contesting every battle, supported by Ross Harris who never gave up.
Havant III were awarded a home win over IW in Counties Two.
Fixtures
There are no fixtures this weekend, with the start of the Autumn Internationals. November 9 will see the Hurricanes travel to Bognor in Counties One, IW will welcome Chichester II in Counties Two, and Ventnor play at home to Portsmouth I. Sandown’s 2nd XV travel to Chichester, with Ventnor 2nd XV at Tottonians.
To view our on-line gallery of this week’s sport, visit iw.observer/301-sport.