Hertford 36 pts v Basingstoke 12 pts at Hertford Sept 22nd 2007
Report by courtesy of Basingstoke Gazette.

Stoke lost this game due to their own ill-discipline and errors, receiving 4 yellow cards and giving away 7 kick able penalties in the first 60 minutes of which 5 were converted. That said, at the mid point in the second half Stoke were somehow still in the hunt being only 15-12 down but effectively playing for 40 minutes with a 7 man pack took it's toll and the home side ran in three tries late on. Stoke gave away the first penalty on 3 minutes. Having won their own line-out the ball was spilled in mid-field and on clearing up a Stoke player was deemed to of held the ball on the ground. Hertford opted for goal and 3 points. Another penalty to Hertford for playing a man without the ball on 7 minutes from the same position was missed. Stokes first venture into the home side's territory was on 12 minutes with a scampering run from Buttle but even this ended with a penalty being conceded and allowing Hertford to clear their lines. On 15 minutes after the ref had warned the Stoke captain of the penalty count against his side that the next offence would warrant a yellow card, second row Nick Cooper was deemed to of made a high tackle and a 10 minute departure from the field followed, and 3 points added to take the home side 6-0 up. Up until now Stoke seemed to of wanted to run the ball out from their own half which led to errors and penalties. Although Fenn kicked dead from the half way line on 20 minutes a superb clearance kick on 25 Min's allowed Stoke to pressure the home side in their 22. The line out was once again a strong area for Stoke and Hertford infringed giving Goodall an opportunity of 3 points which he duly accepted. A poor restart from Stoke allowed Hertford a scrum from which they chipped ahead and won a scrum 5 metres out. The home side spun the ball wide and with a clear overlap dropped the ball for first Goodall and then Buttle to clear the danger and end up in the opponents 22. Pressure on Hertford's line out and then on a resultant scrum from the full complement of Stokes forwards was again rewarded with a penalty and 3 more points to Goodall. On 35 mins Stoke took the lead for the only time, again after good work at the line out, with a catch and drive in field and up to the 10 metre line only for Hertford to be penalised and Goodall securing a good 40 metre kick and 3 points. With added time now being played Hertford had a drive from a line out 15 metre out, where Stirling was adjudged to of come in from the side, the home side were rewarded with a penalty and 3 points while Stoke were again down to 14 men.

Half time 9-9.

Within 4 minutes of the second half after Stoke failed to clear their line properly Hertford ran the ball back and the visitors were penalised for a lazy runner and 3 points for the home team. From the re-start Stoke gave away another penalty and from the following line out another which Hertford chose to kick at goal only to miss. On 48 minutes with Stirling about to re-enter the fray Hertford had a line out 10 metres from the Stoke line. On winning their own ball, Perkins was penalised for pulling down the catcher whilst in the air. Consequently he was shown a yellow card and departed as Stirling returned. The next 8 minutes were spent with the home side running the ball and Stoke defending well but too many clearance kicks did not find touch and back came the home side. On 58 minutes Hertford were awarded a penalty 40 metres which they duly converted to lead 15-9. Straight from the re-start, with Perkins back on, Stoke put pressure on the catcher and were given a scrum in the home sides 22. This was wheeled for a Hertford scrum who were then penalised and Goodall made it 15-12 and four out of four kicks. A knock on at the re-start by Stoke gave away a scrum from which the home side ran good lines to create a score by the posts and converted 22-12. Whilst a running clock would of shown nearly 80 minutes gone the ref said that there was still 13 minutes left. From the re-start Stoke again got into their opponents 22 and from the scrum Hertford ran the ball only for their winger to be stopped short of the Stoke line. The ref awarded a penalty against Stoke for killing the ball. The home side then took a quick tap and Stoke tackled the player before retreating 10 metres. The yellow card came out and shown to Folan on 69. Hertford kicked to the corner for a catch and drive from 5 metres out and came away with a converted try to lead 29-12. On 77 minutes Hertford scored another converted try to extend the lead to 36-12. Folan returned to the game for the final minute so Stoke were back to 15 men but spent 75% of the second half with only 14 players on the pitch. The positives from the game was the line out play where Stoke won their own ball and some off the home teams throw, Goodall with 100% kicking and some good defensive work.

An unhappy Dixon added "Games will not be won where you keep giving your opponents the ball or playing half a match with 14 men. We have to put this right in training and into practice for next week's game."