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Not far away
Basingstoke 25 pts v Rosslyn Park 36 pts The game started at a hectic pace with Stoke immediately showing their intention as Barrie Kirwan made a flying break up towards the Park line only for a knock-on to spoil the move. Park were however first to get on the scoresheet as they scored two converted tries, both through the forwards to open up a 14-0 lead. Stoke were not deterred by this though and continued to attack. For all their hard work though they were only rewarded with a 22 minute Calder penalty. At this stage the game was fairly well poised with both teams looking good in attack but vulnerable in defence. It seemed the score would remain at 14-3 at half-time until in the 4th minute of injury time Calder was binned and Park capitalised to cross for their third converted try, all through driving mauls and all converted by Sam Howard. Half time Basingstoke 3pts v Rosslyn Park 21 pts Basingstoke started the second-half as brightly as they had the first, but again it was Park who crossed first for a converted try by Sam Howard after 5 mins. Stoke then showed a lot of character as instead of buckling like they did away to Park they battled their way back into the game. Marcus Reeve was first to cross after Tom Dean had made a storming break up the middle of the pitch after 9 minutes. Jason Rees was next on the scoresheet as he finished off a well worked move to score out wide after several phases of play had created an overlap. A lapse in concentration allowed Park to cross for their fifth try again from a driving maul but this time unconverted. Park then had two players binned for professional fouls and Stoke took advantage to cross for two more tries. Neal Taylor went over after finishing off a good backs move by scoring a converted try under the posts. Park though added a drop goal by Howard to their score to put the game beyond doubt, 3 scores ahead. Tom Dean rounded of the scoring with a late try to bring the final score to 36-25.
Stoke will be very pleased with their performance in this tough game and
will look to take this on to their last two games away to second placed
Lydney and at home to Havant. They will however be disappointed at the
chances they missed which could have sneaked the game. This was a display
that showed Stoke are not only capable of competing with the best in the
league, but also that, as the second half score showed, beating the best.
Barrie Kirwan, who was man of the match and Tom Dean portrayed the spirit
of the side on the day.
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