The start to Purley John Fisher’s season continued to disappoint as they lost to Sandown & Shanklin 15-43.

This was PJF’s fourth loss in this season’s campaign and sees them in familiar territory rooted at the bottom of London 3SW.

A bright start saw PJF spin the ball wide left then right freeing winger Stuart who crossed to score five points. The visitors missed a couple of penalties and it seemed as if PJF were on the ascendency.

The Leather Brothers ran hard and straight giving their pack targets to run on to. The sprightly back row took up the mantle and earned good territory, possession and field position.

The lively scrum half Johnson chivvied his troops along and released his backs who attacked with flair.

For 10 minutes PJF encamped in the S&S half only to fall foul of a fortuitous kick which upon bouncing, was not fielded properly and gifted the oppo with an easy run in try.

PJF then missed several tackles allowing the opposing no 8 to run deep into PJF territory where he offloaded to his support and soon PJF were 5-14 down.

A penalty saw them hit half time in touch at 8-14. However they failed to capitalise on this good work as they missed tackles, dropped passes and often took wrong options; this put them under self imposed pressure and negated any hard work they had taken to secure favourable field positions. Soon S&S had amassed another four tries and were cruising at 8-36.

With five minutes remaining prop Quigley intercepted a pass 30 odd metres out and ran in to score, the conversion took the score to 15-36.

PJF were punished for this as S&S ended their days work with a final flurry and score in the corner by their speedy winger.

As some consolation PJF have lost to the top three in the league (Winchester 34-6; KCS 36-3 and now S&S – also Freemans 29-8) so perhaps their season may settle and their fortunes change next week at Alleynians.