Promotion.

Basingstoke 29 pts v Dings Crusaders 13 pts

Basingstoke returned to the national leagues on Saturday with a convincing 29-13 win against their south west counterparts Dings Crusaders.

Stoke dominated most parts of the game and were deserved winners. In front of a 1000+ crowd Stoke started the brighter, but playing into the wind conceded a penalty on the edge of their 22 that was converted by Dings fly-half Mark Woodrow for an early lead. Stoke then went through a shaky period giving away numerous penalties and knock-ons. Woodrow had another chance at goal but miscued and Dings were unable to capitalise. Ian Calder then had two chances at goal and missed them both, but made up for it seconds later with his first of two tries. On 18 minutes the forwards won a scrum against the head and after numerous phases spun the ball wide to Gareth Jones who chipped through for Calder to score. He then converted brilliantly from the touch line, hitting the bar along the way. Stoke were on the attack straight from the kick-off and after good attacking play up the middle of the park were awarded a penalty in front of the posts. Calder this time convertin, Dings then had a spell of pressure but superb Stoke defending made sure they were limited to only one chance, their left winger touching down half a metre outside the dead ball area. From the restart Stoke kicked long and recycled possession on the half way line. Tom Dean then made a break and fed Chris Norton who was bundled into touch 20 metres out. Calder then scored the second of his tries after the forwards had driven forward from a lineout 5 metres out. It was eventually flung out to Calder who dived over from close range and then converted his own try for a 17-3 lead. On the stroke of half -time though Basingstoke's Phil Della-savina was sin-binned for persistent infringements and Woodrow converted his second penalty to make the half-time score 17-6 in Stokes favour.

Della-savina returned in the second half and Dings then had one of their players binned for talking back to the referee. No. 9 and captain Jerry Westlake the guilty man. Stoke then started to take a grip on the game and put a sustained amount of pressure on the Dings defence. After 21 minutes this paid off with a third Basingstoke try. After good forward work the backs showed good handling skills to put Chris Norton in for an unconverted try wide out. After Westlake returned to the field Stoke added the killer blow scoring a converted try. The try came after a penalty 5 metres out that Calder missed touch with but was able to bundle the winger out anyway. From the lineout he then chipped over the top and after numerous players missed the ball Jason Rees touched down. Calder converted again to bring his tally to 19 points. Dings finished on a high though with a consolation try. After good defence by Basingstoke, Dings seemed to pass the ball forward, but Stoke failed to react when it wasn't given and Darren Lloyd scored under the posts. Woodrow again converted. This made the final score 29 -13 to Stoke and gave them a deserved promotion back into the national leagues at the first attempt. Afterwards a delighted Calder said:"This was a good performance from all the players concerned not only those that played today but for all involved in the squad throughout the season. All aspects of our game today showed how the team have developed during the season. After the forwards practised 40 scrums in training on Monday our front five gave us a good platform to work off and both Hooker and Chapman not only won our own line-out but stole the ball on numerous occasions from Dings. The back row once again showed tremendous work rate and commitment to be a constant threat. The backs were all willing to run with the ball and defended well, as the whole team did. The support from the crowd was good and we all look forward to a rest before the challenges of next season."

link to RFU site