THE Hurricanes got the new Isle of Wight rugby season off to a flying start with a big win over newly-promoted Winchester II on Saturday.

Aiming to get off to the kind of start they needed last term, Sandown and Shanklin showed the visitors no mercy with a 64-10 rout at The Fairway, in Counties 2 Hampshire.

The hosts dominated the first half, leading 28-5 at the break. 

Three further tries early in the second half demoralised Winchester and a hat-trick of tries followed, making it ten for the match, with Harvey Kirkby kicking seven conversions. 

Max Fletcher, Anthony Burr and Zac Chiverton were notable try scorers, with all-action flanker Connor King man of the match. 

In Counties 3, Ventnor and Isle of Wight got off to losing starts.

IWRFC were beaten 41-20 at Overton. 

But IW were pleased to salvage a try bonus, with Luke Blackman scoring first — but by half-time, they were 31-10 down.

Martin Newnham gave IW hope. However, Overton extended their lead, before Andy Brown added two further tries in an improved second half effort.

Ventnor will rue their own inconsistency not to have beaten Portsmouth II on the road, going down 20-17.

Ventnor were undone early on by a series of errors and miscues, but towards the end of the half, Ventnor began to play some great rugby. 

Pressure started by scrum-half Ben Souter led to pick-and-goes that took Ventnor deep into Portsmouth territory. 

Fred Fairman took a short pass from Sam Lines to drive within inches of the line, before popping the ball back to him to touch down for a 7-3 half-time lead.

The hosts soon went 13-7 up, before Ventnor skipper Lewis Jones made a heroic charge to score. 

Portsmouth scored again and Lines pulled it back to within three points, but Ventnor just ran out of time.

Sandown and Shanklin II won their match against Farnborough II 26-15, in Counties 4B, to make it a great day for the club.

Luke Wedderkop, Jack Smith, Ben Kulik and Rich Pitman scored the tries.

In Counties 5 South, Ventnor II beat Portsmouth III 35-24 away, with Harry Ottley, Dan Mew, Gav Davis and Ben Cooper scoring their tries.

                                                         ALL THE RESULTS

Counties 2 Hampshire: Sandown & Shanklin 64, Winchester II 10.

Counties 3: Overton 41, IWRFC 20; Portsmouth II 20, Ventnor 17.

Counties 4B: Sandown & Shanklin II 26, Farnborough II 15.

Counties 5 South: Portsmouth III 24, Ventnor II 35.