Stoke start with a win.

Tabard 25 pts v Basingstoke 28pts

In the end it was down to the boot of Ian Calder that secured the points at Tabard but it was much more than that. Down 18-6 midway through the first half, they got their act together and nibbled away at the home sides lead and final nudged in front and despite a rally from Tabard kept the points.

The game opened in a scrappy fashion with the referee using his whistle far too much. the opening exchanges were penalties two from Calder and two from Tabard's full-back Skinner. Stoke were under pressure in the scrums and were rarely getting good ball for debutante Andrew Byett and Tabard started to roll and maul and in quick succession. during this period Calder was the victim of the referee and was yellow carded during this period Tabard got on top and scored two tries through Hughes and Broham with one converted by Skinner to go twelve points down. Stoke were not phased by this, playing the much more adventurous rugby with Calder back on the park, edged back into the game. Penalties by Calder in 26th,35th and 39th minute got them back to 18-15 at half time.

Half time Tabard 18 pts v Basingstoke 15pts

Stoke started the second half brightly and levelled with Calder's 6th out of 6 penalties. Playing much better now, they were starting to put moves together and new boy Fraser Jones was starting to make an impression and he put Robbie Holmes in at the corner after 8 minutes of the half. Calder missed his first kick of the match. Tabard game right back and their heavy set of forwards were making in-roads, but the referee decided to help anyway and awarded a penalty try for alleged pulling down, which gave Skinner an easy conversion after 50 minutes, to make it 25-23 to the home side. Stoke to their credit kept going and were not to be denied and from one of the game's rare movements saw Fraser Jones score in the corner after 60 minutes, Calder missing the kick. Stoke had to weather one or two storms in the last 15 minutes, the ref for once helped by carding the home side's Skipper and No 8 for failing to roll away from the ball. Stoke survived though to record a good win on the road. Barry Kirwin in the centre showed his class along with Fraser Jones and Andrew Byett at No 9 matured. Injuries to Marcus Reeve and Neil Young did not help but replacements Buttle and Appleby performed admirably. Man of the match - Steve Collins back in his favourite loose head position had a storming game!

Great Win!

NEXT GAME Saturday 7th September away to Old Patesians ,National 3 South.

link to RFU site