Back on track

Camberley 15 pts v Basingstoke 35 pts

Basingstoke got back on track on Saturday with a well deserved away win against bottom club Camberley, who are without a win this season. Despite trailing through an early Camberley penalty and try, Stoke scored 3 tries within 5 minutes of half-time that turned the game and set them on course for the win and two points. The first ten minutes were scrappy with Stoke having the better possession although it was the hosts who scored first. A well worked move off a scrum put captain Warren Milne over under the posts for a converted try after 9 minutes. Playing uphill and into the wind Stoke looked to hit back and Ross Stirling crossed the line, only to drop the ball and injure himself in the process. Tom Windett replaced him and impressed on his debut. Camberley were to extend their lead after 20 minute when Howard Graham dropped a goal. Stoke then seemed to wake-up and take control of the game. Jason Rees finished of a brilliant move for the first try which started 5 metres from his own line and went through several pairs of hands before he crossed. Stoke reduced the deficit to 2 points when Ian Calder slotted a penalty from 25 metres out into a strong wind. Chris Norton then gave Stoke the lead which they were never to lose when he outsprinted the defence from 30 metres, after a flowing move that involved several players. Matt Evans then extended Stokes lead straight from the restart when he finished off the move of the match that involved Stoke breaking from deep in their own half and good work from Tony Jones, Rees and Norton put him over under the posts. Calder converted for a 20-10 half-time lead.

Half time 10-20

After only 2 mins of second-half play Stoke effectively won the game when good phases of play sent Neil Young over in the corner. Calders conversion attempt struck the bar to leave the score at 25-10. Camberley refused to give in though and after 15 minutes crossed in the corner to reduce the arrears. Calder struck the post with a penalty attempt before he scored in the corner to reinstate the 15 point lead. The game then became very scrappy with neither team managing more than two or three phases at a time. There was time for one more score though as Yann Cullum capped a brilliant individual performance with a try in the corner. Calder again struck an upright with the conversion attempt to make the final score 35-15.
Despite Camberley having a player binned, the final 5 minutes were played out in the Stoke 22, but excellent defence prevented any more scores. Although Stoke made hard work of this game they will be delighted to have got their season back on track with a good win after a rough January month and showed great character and many encouraging signs on a boggy pitch and against a niggly side. After Ian Calder said "We got the two points we deserved and Camberley made us work hard. We now have to carry forward the efforts shown to-day over the next few weeks to ensure that we maintain our future in the National Leagues. Marcus Reeve worked tirelessly for his man of the match award."

link to RFU site