LONDON WEST 3 PLAY-OFFS

                            HURRICANES 18, WEYBRIDGE VANDALS 22

SANDOWN and Shanklin went into their fourth appearance in a London South West league play-off fixture in buoyant mood after a strong season — but all hopes of promotion were dashed in an epic battle against a decent Vandals outfit.

After a frenetic start, the Vandals scored first with a try which stemmed from swift handling and a sweeping backs move — with a penalty quickly following — to lead the Isle of Wight's top side 8-0.

Isle of Wight County Press: Cameron Mitchell on the attack for the Hurricanes.Cameron Mitchell on the attack for the Hurricanes.

The Hurricanes got their first points on the board when captain, Sam Flux, converted a penalty inside the Vandals 22.

But Weybridge responded quickly after Hurricanes winger Owen Williams was sin-binned — knocking the ball down when trying to intercept a pass.

Isle of Wight County Press: Hurricanes captain Sam Flux on the attack against Weybridge Vandals.Hurricanes captain Sam Flux on the attack against Weybridge Vandals.

With the man advantage, Vandals exploited the space and scored, increasing their lead to 15-3 with the conversion.

Following the restart, excellent work by Damian Seder to reclaim Hurricanes possession, coupled with strong carrying from tighthead prop, Chris Skelley, and flanker Ryan Carey, brought the home side to the Vandals five metre line and, after few more phases, man of the match, Matt Miselbach powered over to pull it back to 15-8 before the half-time interval.

Isle of Wight County Press: Jack Wedderkop scores for the Hurricanes in their play-off defeat to Weybridge Vandals.Jack Wedderkop scores for the Hurricanes in their play-off defeat to Weybridge Vandals.

In the second half, the host’s defence was put under intense pressure and, after a carry just short of the posts, the ball popped up through the ruck to an oncoming Vandals player to dot down for 22-8.

The Hurricanes, desperate to find a way back into the game against a side with a well organised pack, pulled it back with another Flux penalty with about 20 minutes left.

Isle of Wight County Press: Jack Wedderkop in action for Sandown and Shanklin against Weybridge Vandals on Saturday.Jack Wedderkop in action for Sandown and Shanklin against Weybridge Vandals on Saturday.

Once the Vandals lost a player to the sin bin, the Hurricanes exploited the space and Jack Wedderkop received a pass out wide, barged through two tackles and scored.

The Hurricanes, trying to make a grandstand finish of it, knocked on in their final promising attack.

Hurricanes: Tyas, Chiverton, Skelley, Flux (capt), Seder, Miselbach, Carey, Rees, Jordan, Mitchell, Barrett, Tyson, Wedderkop, Williams, Sanderson. Replacements: Booth, Hunter, Borrer, Wetherick.