Out of the Cup

Basingstoke 12 pts v London Scottish 53 pts

On a day more suited to sun bathing than rugby, FX backed Stoke suffered a defeat in the Powergen Cup by 53 points to 12 which did not reflect the efforts put in by the home side. The game also showed where Stoke are going to have to work on their game if they are to be competitive against the better sides in the league this year. Starting nervously Stoke conceded a penalty, scrum and free kick in the opening minute and then went behind to the visitors on 2 minutes with a converted try.
Stoke then had a purple patch for the next 15 minutes and applied continual pressure in the Scottish half. During this spell all aspects of the game showed that Stoke are capable of competing and the home support were enthusiastic to see the dominance shown by Stoke. On numerous occasions Stoke went close before Dixon crossed the line on 17 minutes for a converted try by Parsons to regain parity.
Then, on 20 minutes, perhaps the turning point of the game happened. Scottish had a break away and on the 22 their centre kicked the ball towards the posts for a support player to gather and score. However, before the successful conversion the linesman and referee discussed the interference of the player who kicked ahead and Parsons was harshly given a yellow card. If anything he had been misidentified and as the player did not even fall over and a try scored is was mystifying to agree with the punishment.
Now leading 14-7 and with a man advantage the visitors exploited Stoke during the 10 minutes with 14 men to score a penalty and a try to lead 22-7 and might of scored more but for some resolute defence, one where Luff saved a scoring opportunity springs to mind. With half time approaching Stoke had a disastrous last 2 minutes with 2 tries and a conversion being scored,one of which was an interception from half way, to go in 34-7 down.

Stoke came out storming at the start of the second half with sub Jan van Jaarsveld, on for the injured Luff, scored on 42 minutes, rounding off some good play to trail 34-12. Almost from the restart Scottish hit back with a converted try on 44 minutes to lead 41-12.
For the rest of the game Scottish had more possession and territory but Stoke battled well and nearly scored when Lucas nearly put the hard tackling Feausi in only for a stray hand to interfere with the pass. Scottish did score twice in this period once on 57 and again with the last move of the game adding one conversion.

Phil Perkins did well on his debut to be man of the match, Dixon and Appleby were always causing problems and Stirling won some quality ball. Too often Stoke were to flat at the breakdowns for any damage to their opponents defence. Dixon added after "At times we played some good rugby but need to be more consistent over 80 minutes. We all need to look at our own individual preparation on match days to ensure we get the best out of ourselves and therefore a better team performance." Team: Parsons, White, Feausi, Rees (Murdoch), Luff (Van Jaarsveld) , Lucas, Byett, St. Bernard (Hall), Evans (Pack), Perkins, Wilson, Stirling, Hampson (Deetlefs), Appleby,Dixon. Subs not used, T.Northcote, D.Jones.

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