A HARD-FOUGHT battle at the Recreation Ground saw Fordingbridge defeat Sandown and Shanklin 38-34 in Snows Hampshire One.

The game started well for the home side when, after three minutes, were 7-0 up thanks to a try by Ed Douglas and a conversion by Mat Norton. Using the wind at his back, two penalties followed from the boot of Norton to stretch the lead out to 13-0.

In typical rampaging style, Alex Tattersall pushed the home side even further ahead which, with the conversion, put Fordingbridge 20 points clear. Sandown responded with a penalty following an offside offence to keep themselves in touch, but ‘Bridge responded with a try from Mark Hammond, celebrating his return to the team after a three-week break.

Sandown kept on the pressure to score a converted try, but the final scores of the half were a penalty from both sides to enter the break with Fordingbridge 28-13 up.

Within 10 minutes of the break, the gap of 15 points was reduced to one following two converted tries to the ‘Hurries’. It was left to Peter Scott and Craig Stocker to relieve the pressure for the team and the nerves of the supporters with two tries.

However, the scoring was not over as two minutes from the end the visitors scored and, with a well-taken conversion, the game finished at 38-34 with Sandown earning two well deserved bonus points.

In the post-match ceremonies, both captains said what a tough game it had been with each side playing great rugby and both looked forward to the return fixture on the Island later in the season.

Harry Hitchings was awarded star man.

Fordingbridge are away next week at Burgess Hill in the Junior Vase cup competition but are back to league action at local rivals Ellingham & Ringwood on Saturday, November 19.

Fordingbridge Seconds lost to Dinton 48-7, with Jon Vass scoring the home side’s only try.