AFTER a two-week break for most rugby teams on the Isle of Wight it will be back to business in the Hampshire leagues.

Sandown and Shanklin have a potentially tricky game away at fifth place Millbrook in the Hampshire Premiership tomorrow (Saturday).

The Hurricanes have been left to lick their wounds following their 20-17 defeat to league leaders Basingstoke at the Fairway last time out.

In the reverse fixture of tomorrow's game, back in October, the Hurricanes ran out 22-16 winners on the day.

Since then, the Hurricanes have only lost two league fixtures, both to Basingstoke, and will look to cement their second spot in the Premiership and keep the pressure on Basingstoke at the top of the table.

However, first team captain Sam Flux believes Millbrook away will be a test, recognising the hosts need to win to put them back in the mix and make the battle for second spot very interesting, especially considering Bognor and Fordingbrigde play each tomorrow as as well.

The Hurricanes' director of rugby, Damien Marriott, has a few tough selection choices to make ahead of the Millbrook game.

With only second-row Luke Hunter and back-row Sam Branston unavailable, Marriott  will be considering bringing back scrum-half Jacob Jordan into the squad, who missed the game against Basingstoke last time out. 

"I know the boys will be chomping at the bit to get back into action again this weekend and will want to get back to winnings way following their defeat last time out," said Marriott.

"Yet, we can't underestimate this Millbrook side. They will be a very tough nut to crack and proved that when they visited us earlier in the season.

"It should be a very good game of rugby." 

In Hampshire 1, Isle of Wight return to action with a difficult trip to Ellingham and Ringwood, two points off top spot in third, while Ventnor host bottom club Trojans II at Watcombe Bottom.

First team skipper Jake Babington said: "We are not expecting an easy game, as there is no such thing in this league.

"We have a number of players out, but we will also be bolstered by a couple of returning faces from injury.

"I’m positive about the outcome of this game, backed by our performance the previous week away against Ellingham and Ringwood.

"Had it not been for a couple of mistakes made by ourselves, that match could have gone our way.

"The team is really starting to gel as a squad."

In Hampshire 3, Isle of Wight II, with a 100 per cent win record after ten matches so far this season, travel to mid-table Kingsclere.

Isle of Wight should feel confident of a win after beating them 56-0 in the reverse fixture at Wootton back in October.

Ventnor II travel to Southampton II, while Sandown and Shanklin II, in fifth, host Petersfield III, a place below them, at the Fairway.

                                TOMORROW'S FIXTURES

London and South East Division, Hampshire Premier: Millbrook v Sandown and Shanklin.

Hampshire 1: Ellingham & Ringwood v Isle of Wight; Ventnor v Trojans II.

Hampshire 3: Kingsclere v Isle of Wight II.

Hampshire 4: Sandown and Shanklin II v Petersfield III; Southampton II v Ventnor II.