A last-minute try from Hurricanes' captain Ricky Harris denies Alton victory at The Fairway.

A real nail-biter. Messy and error-riddled, undoubtedly, but if you like your rugby fast and furious, passionate and physical, The Fairway was well worth a visit.

This was a full-throttle, yo-yoing contest from the first to the 82nd minute and both sides had plenty of chances to win it. But when the cuts heal and the bruises fade, both camps will reflect on a missed opportunity.

When Sandown skipper Ricky Harris crashed over from a driving maul two minutes into overtime, fly-half Will Baxandall was left with a tricky conversion from near the left touchline to win it for the Islanders. He struck the ball well enough but his kick drifted wide and Sandown had to content themselves with a draw - the fourth-try bonus point a consolation of sorts.

Harris' score rescued a game that appeared to have been lost after a try from second-row Bruce Oliphant nudged Alton 23-18 ahead with just two minutes left on the clock. But Alton failed to deal with the restart, conceded a penalty and Sandown's forwards had the resolve and composure to grind out the equalising score.

While Sandown undoubtedly showed the greater craft and creativity in attack, they were often wasteful and were never quite able to suppress Alton's dogged determination.

Sandown's excellent number eight Tom Booth was employed as a midfield battering ram while blindside flanker Joe Rees frequently startled Alton with his electrifying pace around the fringes. That duo was at the hub of everything, while the midfield was a tight unit and the nippy back three caused plenty of angst in the Alton ranks. Yet, while the ingredients were there, the dish never quite came together.  

Alton were several notches better than in their 40-5 drubbing to the same opposition three weeks ago but it was still a curate's egg of a performance. The scrum creaked badly, their first-up tackling was often so lazy that many on the sidelines were bewildered at how they managed to hold onto the lead for so long.

But their ferocious work at the breakdowns and a clear edge in the line-outs kept them their foothold in this game. There was also the matter of centre Bart van Herwijnen, Shane Watts and Will Ford, whose punching runs constantly troubled the Islanders; or there was the ubiquitous Winston Carter, popping up to secure ball at crucial moments.

van Herwijnen in particular was superb. He scored an implausible solo try, was combative and strong in the tackle and his bullocking runs troubled the hosts all afternoon.  

His try came from nowhere. He appeared to be running down a blind alley when he took a pop pass 30 metres from the line, seemingly grounded up by a combination of Harris and Sam Rees. But he wasn't held, got to his feet, broke another tackle and sprinted under the posts.

Arundel's conversion and two early penalties gave Alton an unlikely 13-0 lead - unlikely because given Sandown had raced out of the blocks and were playing with much the greater fluidity and devil.

But the lead was immediately trimmed when Alton made a horlicks of the restart and Baxandall's arcing break created space for Dan Robinson to sprint over in the left corner.

Arundel added his third penalty but when Tommy Booth crashed over from short range and Baxandall kicked a penalty early in the second half, Sandown were within a score at 16-13.

And on the hour-mark they had the lead when Alton attempted to run the ball out of their 22, turned over possession in midfield and Robinson was offered a clear run-in from 20 metres.

However, the match was to have a couple of late stings in the tail.

A sequence of pick-and-drives took Alton to within a couple of yards of the line and eventually Oliphant was driven over. Arundel provided the icing with a tricky touchline conversion and Alton led 23-18 coming into the final two minutes.

But the hosts weren't done. Alton never completely dealt with the restart and when Sandown were awarded a penalty five metres from the line, they managed to keep the ball alive and Harris plunged over to provide the lifeline.


Sandown and Shanklin: Wales; Chandler, Robinson, Keyworth, Muir; Baxandall, A Carey; Harris (c), Tyas, Skelley; Eldridge, S Rees; J Rees, R Carey, T Booth. Reps.: H Booth, Jones, Gough.

Tries: Robinson (31, 60), Booth (35), Harris (80+2);

Penalty: Baxandall (45).

Alton: Law; O'Connor, Sykes, van Herwijnen, Gill; Crowther (Forsyth; Watkins, 64), Arundel; Happel, Parratt, Gay (c); Osborne (Watkins 8 - 17), Oliphant; Watts, Carter, Ford.

Tries: van Herwijnen (29), Oliphant (78);

Cons.: Arundel (2);

Penalties: Arundel (7, 17, 34).

H-T: 10-16.

Referee: Wayne Morris (Hampshire Society).

Other London 3SW results:

Fordingbridge 22 - 17 London South Africa;
Old Wimbledonians 18 - 22 Ellingham & Ringwood;
Petersfield 26 - 33 Camberley;
Teddington 55 - 12 Old Wellingtonians;
Winchester 15 - 24 Old Alleynians.