Vast improvement

Basingstoke 33 pts v Cambridge 50 pts

In a much improved performance FX backed Stoke took the game to the visitors from the start and indeed led until the final minute of the first half. The first move of the game saw Berti make a jinking run for the Stoke forwards to re-cycle the ball and Calder putting in a cross field kick only for the ball to be dropped on the Cambridge line by the Stoke winger. This set the tone for the early play and on 7 minutes Appleby opened the scoring for Calder to convert and lead 7-0. Calder had his kicking boots on and soon increased the gap to 10 points with a penalty. Cambridge replied with a converted try but Calder then slotted over two more penalties to restore a 16-7 lead. Cambridge came back for another converted try before Calder added another 3 points for a 19-14 lead. With injury time in play and Stoke attacking it seemed that Stoke would go in at the break with a lead. However, Stoke were penalised for not releasing in the visitors 22 and the visitors took a quick penalty and moved swiftly into Stokes 22 where Calder was adjudged to of pulled back a Cambridge player as he kicked the ball and the ref awarded a penalty try which was duly converted for a lead of 21-19 to the visitors at half time.

Unfortunately the second half, due to some poor positional play and loose kicking from Stoke was not as rewarding. On 48 minutes Cambridge scored a converted try and repeated this again 5 minutes later to open a 35-19 lead. Not to be out classed Stoke forced their way into the visitors 22 and were awarded a penalty try of their own from a driving maul at a line out. Stoke continued to be competitive but gave the ball away when if they had been able to keep possession scores may of come.Further score for the visitors came with a penalty and 2 tries, one converted to lead 50-26 with 10 minutes to go. Stoke's cause was not helped when Calder was yellow cadred when saving a try for not rolling away. Stoke showed they were not going to lie down easily and responded in great style to finish the match with a typical Feausi try converted by Calder to finish 50-33. This was the second time Stoke have scored 30 plus points this season and been on the losing end of the result. Stoke's main problem was a lack of quality ball from the line out but with Berti putting the ball in front of the forwards and good defence from first phase Stoke were often even to their opponents and at times better. The rucking and mauling was good and the loose forwards did well around the park with Appleby being given man of the match.

Dixon added after "That was much better and set a springboard for the next few weeks. We have to repeat that level of commitment over our next few games and start to move up the league. We showed in the first half how we can play but we must show a bit more concentration at crucial times."

Team: Lucas, Rogers, Buckland, Feausi (Lilleywhite), White, Calder, Berti, Roberto, Bushnall, Perkins, Wilson, Hampson, Northcote Reece), Appleby, Dixon, Subs not used Rushworth.

link to RFU site