The Hurries continue their impressive start to 2023 with a fine win away at Alresford — a historically difficult ground to get a result at. 

                       COUNTIES 2 HAMPSHIRE — ALRESFORD 6, HURRICANES 27

Sandown and Shanklin — looking to end a miserable four-game game losing streak on the road — got off to a poor start, going three points down from a penalty, for not releasing, in the opening exchanges.

The Islanders, fired up by the score, responded well — hitting back with wave after wave of attacks, which led to second rower, Michael Barrett, crashing over after he ran onto a peach of a pass from scrum-half, Tom Marriott. 

Moments later, simple rugby with excellent hands from Ben Shannon, created an opening for Jacob Jordan to continue his fine scoring record in his new back row role, dotting down to make it 12-3.

The only thing hindering Sandown now was the weather, as Alresford's discipline began to let them down.

The Hurricanes, cleverly mixing up their game, won a line-out deep in the Alresford 22.

A smart training ground move allowed hooker, Ben Kulik, to ghost his way past the home side's scrum-half to make it 19-3. 

Alresford had the final word of the half from the boot to make it 19-6 to the visitors. 

Tweaks made to the pack at half-time saw the Hurricanes take total control of the second half.

It was just a matter of time before Sandown's next try would come, with Barrett scoring his second.

Fly-half Anthony Burr used a penalty advantage to attack the game line and found Barrett on the outside, who dummied his way through to touch down to make it 22-6.

The Hurricanes completed the scoring with a fifth try, scored by Max Fletcher — an easy walk in thanks again to big ball carriers.

Afterwards, the Hurricanes' director of rugby, Damien Marriott, said: “I’m extremely proud of all the boys. We, as a club, have found the away fixtures in this league extremely tough, and today was no different.

"Considering how many players we have out injured or unavailable, the depth of players I have to pick from at this club is incredible.

"Special mention needs to go to second team skipper Michael Cooper, who has worked a miracle by taking a team of 24 to an away fixture, after I completely ripped his side apart this week.”