Basingstoke triumph at home to Norwich 39-25

In probably one of the best games seen at Basingstoke in years, previously unbeaten Norwich side were eventually put to the sword by a free-flowing Stoke side whose Director of Rugby and their new Barbarian had a personal tally of 24 points.

The game started with Norwich encamped on the home sides line and it was no surprise when second row Ben Turner plunged over to score with scrum half Matt Holmes kicking the conversion. Slowly Basingstoke got their act together and two simple Calder penalties followed by a superb try finished off by Scott Taylor after a dazzling run by Robbie Holmes put them into a 11-7 lead. But Norwich were controlling possession and two penalties followed by another try to Ben Turner brought the half-time score to 18-11 to the visitors.

Half time 11-18

The second-half was fast and furious and B'stoke immediately got back into the game with some good ruck ball, the ball was swung to the blind side where second-row Nigel Hooker gave a flick pass to Ian Calder who galloped over in the corner and then ran round to put the ball under the posts to give himself an easy conversion to bring the score to 18 points each. Norwich came back strongly and despite refereeing decisions Stoke defended well, but finally Norwich engineered an overlap and winger Dom Crossley went over, Holmes kicked the conversion to make it 25-18. The home side struck soon after, their threes always looking dangerous and storming run by Neal Taylor made a try for Jason Rees , converted by Calder. to bring the scores level again. Stoke though were not to be stopped and a grubber kick, found the Norwich defence up too flat and Jason Rees dived over for his second try, converted by Calder. Norwich threw everything at Basingstoke, but could not break through and from one such abortive attack the ball went loose in the home side's 22 and it went to Ian Calder who sprinted the length of the pitch to score in the corner, then he gathered himself to kick the conversion to finish the game, a fitting end to a great game of rugby.

NEXT GAME Nov 10th away to Staines ko 2:30 pm