So close

blackheath 18 pts v Basingstoke 17 pts

FX-backed Basingstoke came close to recording a memorable victory away at 3rd placed Blackheath, revenging a defeat from earlier in the season and gaining two valuable points in the process on Saturday. In the end though, they fell just short losing by a point after a second-half rally from Blackheath. Basingstoke will feel it was an opportunity missed though after they'd put themselves in a great position 17-5 ahead at half-time. Playing uphill and into a slight breeze Stoke got off to a flying start as a good kick-off gave them field position on the oppositions 22. Tom Dean then made a break, fed Selwyn St. Bernard and looped for the return to score under the posts. Ian Calder converted for a 7-0 lead with only 2 minutes on the clock. Blackheath came back into the game straight away though as a quick tap from a penalty created space for flying wing Charlie Abban to cross in the corner and reduce the deficit to 2 points. Stoke controlled most of the first-half from here on in as they defended Blackheath's only threat through driving mauls brilliantly and defended out wide as if their lives depended on it. Stoke were also excelling in their attacking play at this moment in time as superb recycling in the rucks and mauls gave Calder and his backs a good platform to play from. They were rewarded as they added two further scores before half-time. The first was a simple Calder penalty and the second was Barrie Kirwans fifth try of the season as he crossed from short range after good recycling work by the forwards. Calder converted for a 17-5 lead. In the latter stages Stoke were forced to defend a series of Blackheath attacks and it seemed that it would only be a matter of time till they scored especially when Yann Cullum was binned for collapsing a maul. But Stoke defended brilliantly and showed no signs of missing experienced back-row pair Phil Della-Savina and captain Richard Baker as they held out.

Blackheath continued to attack after the break and even when restored to 15 players Stoke were constantly on the back foot. Blackheath slowly clawed their way back into the game, first with a simple penalty and then with a converted penalty try when Stoke where penalised for pulling down a driving maul. After 20 minutes they took the lead for the first time with what was to prove the vital score of the match. Chris Trace kicked his third goal after Tom Windett was penalised and sin-binned very harshly when he turned a man in a tackle but was judged to be lying on the ball. Stoke pressed for the winning score in the last quarter but the closest they came was with a Calder penalty from 40 metres that drifted slightly wide. Despite the narrow loss Stoke will take much heart from the performance although they will be disappointed they couldn't turn their hardwork into a much needed win. The defensive qualities were superb at times which meant Blackheath were put under pressure and not able to play consistant Rugby, a point made by their coach after the game, who also recognised the influence that Tom Dean and man of the match Barrie Kirwan had, having both missed the earlier encounter.

After Ian Calder said "We were not rewarded for the effort and commitment the players put in. It is always harsh to lose by a point and you perhaps start to say what if?. This result certainly means that we should not worry about any of the teams we still have to play and next weekend will be a good starting point to ensure National League rugby next year."

link to RFU site