ON A day with so many rugby matches called off due to the effects of Storm Ciaran, it proved to be the perfect one for the aptly-named Hurricanes who blew Chichester away to go top of the Counties 2 Hampshire League.

CHICHESTER 3, HURRICANES 59
Chichester pulled out all the stops to make sure some rugby was played in East Hampshire.
The opening exchanges proved challenging, with both sides struggling to get to grips with the wet and windy conditions. 

The visitors edged ahead with a penalty within the opening quarter of the match, but Sandown and Shanklin struck back with a score from their captain, Jacob Jordan.

Moments later, the Hurries scored again, this time through his deputy, Matt Miselbach, to put the Islanders 12-3 ahead. 

The first half yielded one further try through Sam Rees, with the ever-reliable Harvey Kirkby converting to extend the Hurricanes' lead to 19-3 at half-time.

With the resumption of the second half, the 'floodgates' opened for the Hurricanes — scoring a further six tries. 

The fourth of the afternoon, which importantly secured the bonus point, came from replacement Ben Shannon. 

Miselbach grabbed his second, before winger Chris Omerod got himself on the scoresheet to make it 33-3.

Shannon also then managed to bag himself a brace, with full back, Max Fletcher, notching up a try on his return to the starting line up. 

The final try, to round off a superb afternoon's work, fell to Anthony Burr, with Kirkby managing to convert seven of his nine attempts. 

The Wightfibre man of the match was centre, Rob Eston, who was reliable throughout, making momentum changing tackles for the Hurricanes.

  • The club's veterans welcome a touring Keynsham RFC Vets side from Somerset on Saturday, kick-off at 12.30pm.