Reading 25 pts v Basingstoke 19 pts Away, Nov 4th 2006 at Reading

Report by courtesy of Basingstoke Gazette.

BASINGSTOKE director of rugby Jim Dixon and his side endured another frustrating result in their South West One season as local rivals Reading claimed the derby spoils after a hard-fought encoun-ter at Holme Park. Having imposed themselves to lead 12-0 after 34 minutes, a 25-minute spell where, allied to the loss of hooker Andrew Rowlands through injury and Simon Humberstone’s harsh sin-binning, ’Stoke dipped in concentration and focus and allowed the home side to recover. During that period, Reading scored four tries, only one of which was converted, to forge ahead. Although Tom Northcote’s try, conver-ted by Ollie Rogers, brought ’Stoke back in it at 22-19, a late penalty sealed Reading’s win.

Afterwards, Dixon was again left to bemoan the team’s inability to win a match they had been well on top of. “It’s very frustrating and disappointing,” said the 29-year-old Kiwi, who made a rare appearance at open-side flanker in place of Simon Appleby, despite his problematic patella tendonitis. “We made a great start only to have a spell where we lost concentration and conceded tries we shouldn’t. Their second try just before half-time was a killer. It was seven points they should not have been given and it’s ultimately cost us the game.” Dixon’s chagrin was matched by his players, who arrived in Berkshire confident of claim-ing a much-needed win. ’Stoke’s intensity from the kick-off yielded a score after only 30 seconds to set the tone. Deep inside the Reading 22 from Humber-stone’s kick, ’Stoke’s rampaging forwards, epitomised by Northcote’s brash, abrasive play, put the pressure on. A fine recovery tackle from Andrew Patrick set up a ’Stoke turnover that Dave Lambert used to maximum advantage, picking up and kicking forward along his wing before outpacing the covering defenders to touch-down. Unfortunately, Humberstone missed the conversion and also his 11th minute penalty. However, on 15 minutes, Myles Rutherford, running in a fine angle to collect Dixon’s pass after some top rucking play by the pack, scampered over to score. This time, Humberstone easily added the two points to make it 12-0. Then came a period of play where the game became contested solely by the two packs and frustration with referee Clare Daniels grew among players and support-ers alike, as scrums were increasingly rotated and other infringements missed. The loss of hooker Rowlands – he popped some ribs and, in some pain, was taken to Basingstoke hospital – clearly impacted on the front row. But then came Humberstone’s yellow-card, his first ever for coming up offside while the scrum was still down. The teenager seemed to be the unfortunate victim of Daniels’ failure to deal with previous misdemeanours as she made what looked like a decision to take a stand to restore her control of the game. Reading then subsequently scored with a drive-over try to make it 5-12, before getting their gift-wrapped lifeline just before the interval. ’Stoke’s attacking play took them to within 10 metres of another score – number 8 Caan Childs leading the way with his pick up and charges – but then the ball was spread from left to right among the backs. Finding himself with three men to beat, Lambert was tackled and, having to release the ball well away from any support, Reading winger Phil Simmons was able to pick up and run 80 metres unchallenged to score. A revitalised Reading made sure they took further advantage of ’Stoke’s dip, winger Simmons getting his second score out wide soon after the restart. Fly-half James Cathcart converted to make it 17-12. Another drive-over try from Tim Laverye made it 22-12 – but it succeeded in raising a rousing riposte by ’Stoke, who by this time had both Appleby and Darren Lillywhite on as replacements for Dixon and Dave Holland. A typical breakaway run from Appleby and a pass to Northcote led to him racing clear to score. Rogers added the two points. Unfortunately, the match ended in disappointment when, on 80 minutes, ’Stoke skipper Ross Stirling was yellow-carded for not rolling away. Cathcart converted the penalty and secured Reading’s victory. Despite the defeat, ’Stoke stay in eighth place. They host other local rivals Reading Abbey on Saturday at Down Grange.

’Stoke: Ollie Rogers; Dave Lambert, Andrew Patrick, Myles Rutherford, Karl Buttle; Simon Humberstone, Dave Holland (rep Darren Lillywhite 65 mins); Neil Young, Andrew Rowlands (rep Matt Oliver 32 mins), Shane Murphy; Ross Stirling, Chris Williams; Tom Northcote, Jim Dixon (rep Simon Appleby 60 mins), Caan Childs.