A COACHLOAD of Sandown and Shanklin Rugby Club fans will be making the trip to Winchester to cheer on the Hurricanes to what they hope will be a glorious title-winning day.

The Hurricanes, who have won 15 of their 17 matches in the Counties 2 Hampshire division this season, cross The Solent tomorrow (Saturday) to face mid-table Winchester II.

Should they claim victory — and the title — it will see the first team return to a level they last experienced a decade ago.

Winchester, however, are regarded by Sandown and Shanklin as a potential 'banana skin' in their aspirations and will be playing on a heavy pitch, following lots of heavy rain this week.

Other than missing one of their key players, right winger Jack Wedderkop, who has been a pivotal figure for the first team all season, the Hurries will be taking a strong squad to Winchester. 

The club's supporters will be trying to turn the match into a home game, with a 'coachload' making the trip.    

In the corresponding fixture back in September, the Hurries beat Winchester II 64-10.

Although either of the two teams below them — Basingstoke and Guernsey II — could mathematically end up with a similar record by the end of the campaign, the Hurricanes' points difference of +670 should comfortably see them home to the title if they win.

Basingstoke and Guernsey II are set to play each other on a date yet to be arranged after their fixture was postponed.

The Hurricanes' director of rugby, Damien Marriott, sounded a confident war cry ahead of the match. 

He told the County Press: "The match is pivotal for our team's aspirations. Despite Jack's absence, our squad remains resolute and focused.

"We're determined to leave everything on the field and claim the league title.

"Winchester has been on an excellent run of form recently and has shown how good of an opponent they are.

"But we're prepared to rise to the challenge. Victory is within our grasp — and we're ready to seize it!"