Basingstoke fail to win.

Maidenhead 22 pts v Basingstoke 19 pts at Maidenhead , April 22nd 2006

After a weeks rest from rugby, 'Stoke travelled to fifth place Maidenhead, and with promotion hopes out the window, 'Stoke were looking to end the season on some sort of high. Like so often before in the 05-06 season, 'Stoke gifted the opposition a twelve point lead within the first five minutes. This early warning sign was thankfully noticed by the 'Stoke side who dominated the next fifteen minutes against withering opponents. Unfortunately, 'Stoke had nothing to show for their pressure, and a drinks break at twenty minutes due to scorching temperatures allowed maidenhead to recover. 'Stoke did get themselves on the score board just minutes later when Lucas finished of a three man over lap to score in the corner. Rogers, filling in for the absent Humberstone, missed the tricky conversion to leave the score 12-5. The remainder of the half was all 'Stoke, but the only points that were to follow was a Maidenhead penalty, gifted to them from unnecessary penalties, and the score was 15-5 at the half time break.

The second half started like the first ended, with 'Stoke having all the pressure, and Maidenhead getting the points. This time, it was the full seven points; through a break away try on 55 minutes. 'Stoke kept up their pressure and had many chances to score and on 60 were given a glimmer of hope when Lambert scored under the posts, Rogers converted and 'Stoke were back within two scores. On seventy minutes, captain Simon Appleby finished of a well worked free flowing move started seventy meters earlier. Rogers converted to bring 'Stoke within three points. 'Stoke had numerous opportunities to take the lead, but often poor hands let them down at the last minute. Three good breaks from Dixon, Murdoch and Stirling were not finished off as Stoke battled for a win, which eluded them. The disappointment on the players faces, showed how important this game is, but as like the whole season, we promised a lot but never delivered. Dixon and Appleby led by example and the side battled to the end but ultimately the early scores conceded made the game harder to win.

Dixon added afterwards "That was disappointing as we dominated much of the game. Basic errors let us down at crucial times and the first 5 minutes certainly didn't help us. It was a great pity as it was the last game for some players and a win would of sent them off with better memories."

Team: O Rogers, D Lambert, S Buckland, Matt Lucas, G Murdoch, C Marshal J Fish, K Townsend (P Perkins), S Lovegrove, S Murphy, R Northcote (A Hopkins), R Sterlin, J Dixon, S Appleby, T Northcote.