Basingstoke lose home record to Sutton & Epsom in poor performance

Basingstoke 12pts v Sutton & Epsom 20pts

Basingstoke produced their worst home performance of the season against a confident Sutton & Epam side. Director of Rugby Ian Calder played at full-back to accommodate Stuart Paynter at No10 but this didi not work and midway through the second half he reverted back to outside half but too late to change the game.

From the kick-off Sutton pressurised the home side still lacking Della-Savina and Hooker but it took 12 minutes for Sutton to register the first score through their fly-half Sam Froat with a good penalty. The home side under constant pressure in the scrum came back and after a kick and chase Jason Rees went over to score half way out Calder missing the conversion. Sutton using their forwards to great advantage put Basingstoke under pressure but the home side survived so it was to great surprise when they allowed the league's leading try scorer Keith Middleton to weave his way through unopposed to score in the corner, Frost kicking a great conversion. Stoke had a number of chances to score but they were not seen by the poor refereeing Alun Thomas of Berkshire. Calder in front of the posts and two attempts from Frost of Sutton went missing but eventually the visitors increased their lead with a try from centre Graham Dowden, convert well by Frost to bring the half-time score to 17-5 to Sutton.

Half time Basingstoke 5pts v Sutton & E 17pts

The second half the expect pressure from Stoke did not materialise and in fact Sutton increased their lead with a Frost penalty.The lack of solid scrum ball was always going to be Stoke's achilles heel and even the introduction of Steve Collins after injury could not stop the rot. The home side to raise themselves for a late flourish and well taken second try for Jason Rees converted by Calder was all they had to show.

Full timw Basingstoke 12pts v Sutton & E 20pts

NEXT GAME Dec 1st away to Thanet ko 2:30 pm