IN AN action-packed game of rugby, it was the home side, Basingstoke, who came out on top with a dominant display.

BASINGSTOKE 58, HURRICANES 24 

The match, a great advert for Counties 2 Hampshire rugby, produced great skill and determination from both teams.

From the kick-off, Basingstoke set the tone with their powerful forwards and quick-footed backs working well together. 

The home team had the crowd entertained with an early opening try. 
Sandown, however, responded brilliantly with a well-executed try of their own, courtesy of Zak Chiverton.

As the game progressed, Basingstoke's precision and teamwork shone through — their scrums a force to be reckoned with.

The steady stream of possession they gained from the scrum, allowed their backs to exploit the gaps in Sandown's defence, resulting in several beautifully executed tries.

Sandown, to their credit, didn't back down — showing glimpses of the form that gave them an emphatic win the week before.

George Finan got the Hurries on the scoreboard with a powerful finish into the corner, and Hugo Jolliffe rounding off an excellent team move to keep the contest alive. 

However, Basingstoke's defence proved a tough nut to crack — consistently rebuffing Sandown's efforts. 

The Islanders did, at least, manage to salvage a try bonus point, thanks to Michael Barrett charging down the fly half’s kick and showing off his fabulous one-touch rugby talent.

Basingstoke, with exceptional fitness levels, had another gear late on, as they maintained intensity to score three late tries, which took the game away from the Hurricanes. 

Hurricanes: Tyas, Kulik, Booth, Barrett, Joliffe, Chiverton, King, Miselbach, Jordan (capt), Marriott, Finan, Newton jr, Wedderkop, Omerod, Kirkby. Replacements: Webster-Smith, Thomas, Little.

Sandown and Shanklin;s director of rugby, Damien Marriott, said afterwards: "We're disappointed with the result, but I know these boys will regroup, learn from this and bounce back."

In Counties 5 South, another local derby was fought at Wootton Rec between the Isle of Wight II team and Ventnor seconds, with the visitors winning 34-20.

SATURDAY'S RESULTS 
Counties 2 Hampshire: Basingstoke 58, Sandown & Shanklin 24.
Counties 3: IW 35, Ventnor 7.
Counties 4B: Basingstoke II v Sandown & Shanklin II (home walk-over).
Counties 5 South: IW II 20, Ventnor II 34.

FIXTURES — SATURDAY, SEPT 30
Counties 2 Hampshire: Sandown & Shanklin v Millbrook.
Counties 3: Ventnor v Andover II; Portsmouth II v IW.
Counties 5 South: Portsmouth III v IW II.