At Last!

Basingstoke 28 pts v Thanet Wanderers 5 pts

FX backed Stoke were rewarded with their first league points with a four try to one victory over Thanet. Whilst this win still leaves Stoke bottom of the table it gives them much more confidence having performed to a level that they are able to play at and in doing so eradicated a lot of the errors that have seen them concede points. This was however a game that nearly didn't happen. With the visitors still over an hour away at 2 o'clock and a two thirty kick off with the clocks having been put back it was always going to be a tight decision as to whether the game would take place or not. The opposition arrived at three fifteen and in consultation with the ref both captains agreed to play the match hoping that as league rules apply a result will stand if sixty minutes are played. The match started brightly for Stoke and new half back Berti had an early influence with a nice break that put Stoke in their opponents half early on. Stoke had the better of the first ten minutes and were rewarded on 12 minutes when Dixon was on hand to brush aside two tackles from 10 metres out to score under the posts and Berti to add the two points for a lead that they did not give away. Thanet did come back on 17 minutes with a try to reduce the lead to 7-5 but Stoke went on the offensive for the next 20 minutes and produced some of their best play this season. As a result Stoke added two more team tries through the hard working Appleby and the hard running Feausi, both converted by Berti to lead 21-5 on 36 minutes. Although Thanet finished the half in Stoke's 22 the defensive was organised and did not concede a score when in the past this has been a time they do concede points.

The second half again started well for Stoke with Lucas scoring on 46 minutes rounding off a flowing move from the 22 to score under the posts and the conversion put over by Berti. With a four score cushion Stoke relaxed and started to play with a bit more freedom and played in their opponents half. With the light starting to fade and the crucial 60 minute period approaching Stoke continued to play the better rugby although the loss of Evans caused slight disruption. On 62 minutes the ref confirmed that a result would stand and this seemed to inspire Thanet into action and for a 10 minute spell they were the better side and Stoke started to give away possession and penalties. Today the Stoke team were not to give way and they defended resolutely to keep the visitors at bay and record the final score of a 28-5 victory.

The side played well as a team with Collins back to his former self and dominating scrums, Stirling adding an option in the line out and the loose forwards getting about the pitch. Berti added class to the side and with the ball being won by the forwards allowed the backs more time and space to use the ball. A delighted Dixon added " That was a long time coming but we deserved that win. With the late start we kept focused and played very well as a team. We put into practice what we have been doing at training and it's more of the same next week when we take on the leaders Worthing."

Team : Lucas, White (Humberstone), Buckland, Feausi, Rogers, Berti, Byett, Collins, Evans (Hobden). Perkins, Wilson, Stirling, Northcote, Appleby, Dixon, not used Hampson.

link to RFU site