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Basingstoke triumph over local rivals Basingstoke 22pts v Winchester 7pts Basingstoke ran out comfortable winners over a Winchester side who of late have had a good run of results. Ian Calder's side virtually end the game after 10 minutes of the game. More or less straight from the kick-off, the Winchester full-back fumbled and Tom Dean was on hand to score with Ian Calder adding the simple conversion. The home side were on top early on and it was no surprise when they increased their lead with an easy penalty kick to Ian Calder. Stoke piling on the pressure should have scored more but the final pass went to ground after good attacking moves featuring all the backs, with Calder at fly-half being the instigator. The pack for once gave a solid base in the scrums and this provided the platform for the threes to run and threaten the visitors time and time again. Basingstoke went further ahead after 27 minutes with a well worked try for Gareth Jones, converted by Calder. Winchester were allowed back into the game with some unforced errors from the homeside which on the stroke of half-time saw a try from a mual scored by second row Showell, skillfully converted by No 10 Ashwin. Half-time Basingstoke 17 pts v Winchester 7 pts. The second-half, which after the first five minutes, where Winchester threatened to break the stranglehold, was all Stoke, the home side forwards growing in confidence dominated the opposition winning quality possession, but with Ian Calder off the field with a broken nose, Stoke decided to play for safety and pinned Winchester in their half with tactical kicking and could only muster one try, credited to Jason Rees after a chip through from man of the match Neil Taylor. This result puts Basingstoke back into the top three and puts Winchester into the bottom three. Stoke's next league game is away to second placed Sutton and will be crucial. B'stoke have something to prove after their defeat at home to Sutton in November.
NEXT GAME Dec 15th home to Reading(Friendly) ko 2:00 pm
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