After leading 10-8 at the break and looking reasonably comfortable, thanks to a trademark try from a tip-toing Ferg Farrell and a couple of kicks from Josh P, it all went a bit off script in the second half. So much so that within 20 minutes of the re start we were 22-10 down and looking dead and buried, an inevitable defeat was staring us squarly ion the face . There then followed 15 minutes of passion fuelled team rugby, peppered with some individual flair and some added crunching tackles thrown in for good measure.

Tries by Matt Poole, CJ and Josh Stevens and two conversions from Josh Penberthy got us back in charge and with 5 minutes of the game remaining we were 29-22 up and looking good to cruise across the winning post. Sandown & Shanklin had other ideas and In the final move of the game they scored a try wide out on the left touchline and had the conversion to earn themselves a well deserved draw. The kick was sweetly struck and looked like it was over, only for it to run out of steam at the last moment and drop onto the crossbar, thankfully it bounced backwards and not forwards, a huge sigh of relief, the final whistle and the win was ours.

A 4 try bonus point win was what we needed and what we eventually got, but the score nowhere near told the full story of the game. S&S certainly belied their bottom of the league position and played some cracking rugby throughout. We were a little more patchy, but nevertheless showed some great character and never say die team spirit which pulled this game back from the brink. well done everyone and also Congratulations to Elliot Fraser (lock) and Jack DuPille (prop) who both made the 1st XV debuts.

Next week we're away at Purley John Fisher RFC to play the rescheduled league game from last weekend.