FORDINGBRIDGE RFC departed the Isle of Wight empty-handed - for the second Saturday in a row - after defeat to Sandown and Shanklin.
The ferry trip to the island was a fruitless one as 'Bridge's much-changed side went down 28-21 in Snows Hampshire One.
From the kick off, the visitors found themselves under pressure, giving away the first of eight penalties before half time. The quickly-taken kick resulted in a try for the hosts.
'Bridge gradually worked their way back into the game and Mat Norton kicked a penalty to reduce the gap. However, on the ten-minute mark Sandown scored another unconverted try to extend their lead to 10-3.
Undeterred, Fordingbridge camped on the Sandown line and, after concerted forward drives, Harry Hitchings burrowed over for an unconverted try. Immediately Sandown landed a penalty to maintain their lead 13-8.
Fordingbridge conceded ten points from two unconverted tries in two minutes just before the break during a period when they were down to 14 men following a yellow card to trail 23-8.
'Bridge started the second half with renewed vigour - and went onto produce their best rugby of the contest.
An early penalty from Norton and a 60th minute try from a solo effort from captain Steve Brown, converted by Norton, saw Fordingbridge reduce the deficit to five points. Fordingbridge now had real belief that they could turn the match around and a further penalty for Norton with just over ten minutes to go saw the score at 23-21.
Sandown kicked long and well from the restart.
In an endeavour to keep the ball alive an inside pass from Norton was intercepted and led to a fifth try for the hosts - the last of the scoring action.
Chairman Ian Brown said: "It fell the way of the home team, but it was great to see the collective belief rise in the foresters' young side as they realised they could compete evenly with a team that were playing rugby a league higher last season."
Elsewhere, vice-captain Jordan Donaldson scored three tries and a conversion in Fordingbridge seconds' 37-22 home defeat to Wheatsheaf Cabin Crew in Dorset & Wilts 2 South. Tom Sheppard also notched up a try.
It's derby day at the Recreation Ground on Saturday as 'Bridge host improving Ellingham and Ringwood (2.15pm).
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