Another good away win secured

Bishop's Stortford 10 pts v Basingstoke 25 pts

FX backed Stoke won another away game to gain two valuable points in a hard working performance that also enhanced their points difference at the same time. If Stoke can continue to put the effort in as they have over the last few weeks then it will be their own results that will bring safety in the league and not having to worry about other sides results. The game was based around determined defence, improved scrummaging, and kicking points when on offer. Stoke only conceded one try and that was down to their own error and restricted the home side to only two penalty attempts. The early exchanges went in favour of the visitors who had plenty of the ball but could not find a way through the home teams defence. Stoke were not helped with confusion over the ref wearing a red shirt that nearly matched the home sides shirt and after making him aware of this problem he duly changed his top. The first scoring chance went to Stortford who missed a penalty on 14 minutes. Stoke responded with some good play from the forwards which led to advanced positions but no points. Then in a ten minute spell Stoke scored two splendid tries. The first was as a result of good recycled ball from third phase that allowed Berti to scamper over in the corner. Humberstone missed the conversion but that was to be his only miss of the day. The second came from a blind side break by Lilleywhite who fed the ever present Dixon who was able to offload in the tackle to feed Buckland to score. Humberstone added the two points. For the last ten minutes of the half it was all the home side but they made too many errors and dropped passes. This was in part their own fault but a lot of credit has to be the pressure that Stoke's defence put on them. Tackles came in from everywhere and bodies put in the way and all Stortford gained was a penalty on half time.

The start of the second half saw the home side continue with pressure but again came away with nothing for the first 15 minutes. Stoke gradually moved the play into the home teams half and were now regaining control of the game. As a result of the pressure Stoke were given a penalty 30 metres out converted by Humberstone. Continued pressure saw Stoke camped in the visitors 22 but could not score a try. Their only reward was another Humberstone penalty from 35 metres out to give a 18-3 scoreline and ten minutes to go but more importantly a three score cushion. With 5 minutes left and the home team pressurising the Stoke 22 a misdirected pass that went to ground and a charge down saw Stortford close the gap by 7 points. Stortford came back again at Stoke who had Wilson yellow carded with 2 minutes to go. Now camped on the Stoke line the home team were looking to make the game more tense than it should be. However the defence held firm and on full time Buckland intercepted two metres out and went the length to score for Humberstone to add the tricky two points and the final whistle. Maxwell got the man of the match award, closely followed by Buckland and Tom Northcote who has made the backrow selection interesting with Humberstone kicking the vital point when needed.

Dixon added "That was a terrific defensive performance from the whole team. We came here for a win and that is what we got. Our ability to re-cycle good ball is improving and our set piece play got better as the game progressed but still needs work. The lads will have a week off next week but we will work hard in training to be ready for the visit of Richmond."

Team: Humberstone, Buckland, Feausi, Chimbima, Lucas, Berti, Lilleywhite, Rushworth, Maxwell, Besarti, Wilson, Northcote(R), Northcote(T), Appleby, Dixon. Subs not used Rogers, Hopkins, Davenport.

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