Off the bottom!

Sutton & Epsom 17pts v Basingstoke 33 pts

A superb display from the whole team saw FX backed Stoke record their second win of the season and move off the bottom of the table. The victory was based on a solid defence and the willingness of all the players to take responsibility for their own role in the team along with the reduced amount of errors that has cost them dearly. Stoke had the better of the opening exchanges and were rewarded on 11 minutes with a Calder penalty but gave away the advantage from the kick off when they tried to run the ball from their own 22 and lost possession and this resulted in a penalty for the home team and 3 points. Stoke slowly began to take control of the ball and retain possession, something that has been lacking, and converted pressure into point on 14 and 17 minutes with 2 Calder penalties. On 30 minutes a loose clearance from Stoke and poor defence allowed Sutton to run the ball back from the half way line and score with a conversion to go behind for the only time in the game. On 37 minutes Stoke were again rewarded when Feusi broke the defence on their 22 to feed the supporting Buckland to score in the corner for a 14-10 lead, one which the were not to surrender. The last 2 minutes of the half epitomised the resolve of the team when under pressure in their own 22 they defended brilliantly not only to stop the home side but twice won turn over ball.This enabled them to go in at half time in front with confidence that a win was possible.

Stoke had the perfect start to the second half when on 43 minutes Dixon, playing well in his role as hooker, broke the defence to off load to Rogers to scamper in the corner for another 5 points. Rogers was again on the score sheet on 50 minutes when good defence put the home team under pressure and spilt the ball for the Stoke winger to collect and run from his own 10 metre line to score under the posts for 7 points and a 26-10 lead and a three score cushion. The home team slowly started to take more control of the game but again strong defence and a spirit within the team not to lose kept them at bay until the 80th minute when they scored a converted try. With the ref playing added time Stoke were not to be undone and when Calder collected the ball from another turn over ball on the half way line he managed to make to the line under the posts to score a further 7 points and leave the final score 33-17.

With all the team playing their part in was difficult to single out a man of the match and after a delighted Dixon add "That was a tremendous performance from the team. Everyone worked extremely hard and it was great to see what we have been working towards in training came together today. That was the start of our route up the table."

Team: Lucas, Rogers, Buckland, Feausi , White(Rees), Calder, Lilleywhite, Perkins(Rushworth), Dixon, Bussati, Wilson, Stirling, Northcote, Appleby, Hampson Subs not used Jones.

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