A MUCH-CHANGED BASINGSTOKE SIDE earned a nailbiting Hampshire Cup quarter final win, edging Gosport and Fareham 34-29 in an extra time win. Oscar Worsfold, Billy Maidment, Matt Wise, Adam Richards and Rhys Fletcher all scored in regulation time, before a Riley Darragh score out wide in extra time was enough to see Basingstoke over the line.
Only four of last week's starting XV went back-to-back - with Tani Tala on the bench - with coach Eric Liebenberg giving regular Dragons players the opportunity to step up in a 1st XV shirt without the pressure of a league campaign. Such is the depth of the squad this season, only Rory Kerr hadn't played 1st XV rugby in the build up, with the former Overton back earning his debut after joining the club in the autumn.
After a somewhat tame warm up, 'Stoke came out the blocks hot with a score in the opening three minutes. After a more-than-solid midfield scrum, Adam Richards - lining up in the centres this week - gave a lovely pop to partner Oscar Worsfold to break the line. Brought down by the opposition full back, Worsfold showed the power of a cool head, getting back to his feet and showing his searing pace to get around the outside of the Gosport defence.
Fly half Kerr used the conditions well, unleashing an inch-perfect 50-22 to give the visitors the platform for the second score. 'Stoke had the put in to the line out five metres out and the returning Billy Maidment found Matt Wise in the air, before the large away pack showed their power, barging their way over the line with the hooker earning his first Basingstoke score.
Basingstoke's dream start continued, crossing for their third within the first ten minutes. Tom O'Driscoll's break off the back of a scrum on half way saw Basingstoke get deep into Gosport territory, before Captain Simon Appleby acted as scrum half, passing to back row partner Wise for the flanker to power over out wide to take the lead to 0-15.
The visitors continued about their way, using Kerr's boot and heavy forwards phases to make good ground. After a long spell in the Gosport 22, the 'Stoke back line's quick thinking saw a big blind side exploited, with Richards diving over for Basingstoke's fourth. Kerr's conversion was good, taking the score out to 0-22.
Needing a way back into the game, Gosport started to play to their strengths, using their strong carriers to punch holes in the heart of the 'Stoke defence. Defending their line, the increasingly influential Appleby was awarded a yellow card for a high tackle and Gosport smelled blood. In the ten minutes the captain was off the pitch, Gosport punished a flat 'Stoke side, twice scoring under the posts to reduce the deficit to eight points.
The remainder of the half was all Gosport, but a resolute 'Stoke rearguard ensured that was how the score remained at the half.
With the wind now in Gosport's backs, the next score was crucial. The 'Stoke coaching staff made changes with the pack tiring, but Gosport kept knocking on the door. Sustained pressure had the visitors on the back foot and they eventually took full advantage. A 'Stoke clearance down the middle of the pitch when it really needed to go out was punished, exploiting the huge space out wide for the hosts the reduce the gap for three points.
Gosport kept coming, but huge defensive moments kept the hosts out. Gareth Hubbard was particularly impressive with countless shots and crucially timed turnovers, as well as big hits from Richards, Tani Tala and a crunching double tackle from Wise and Appleby. As Basingstoke defended their line, Gosport looked like it was only a matter of time before they took the lead, but Rhys Fletcher had other ideas. The rangy full back used his long arms to intercept a Gosport pass, before showing his devastating speed, going the distance and jogging in under the posts in a crucial 14-point swing.
With the wind and the home crowd in their favour, Gosport weren't going down without a fight. They scored out wide a matter of minutes after Fletcher's score, bringing the game to 24-29 in the closing stages.
'Stoke continued to defend well, forcing errors from Gosport that the visiting support had hoped would bring about the final whistle. That whistle did not come, however, until Gosport went over out wide with the final play of the game, tying the scores up with a kick to come. The connection was good, but sailed just wide, meaning the stage was set for extra time.
Swapping sides once more, 'Stoke crucially took the lead back. Big defensive pressure on the Gosport try line enforced the error - a double tackle from Glen Serafica and Paddy Gilbert stopped a forward carrier in his tracks, with Serafica stripping the ball and floating out a gorgeous pass to Riley Darragh on the wing. The conversion was missed, bringing the score to 34-29.
Gosport came back at the hosts, desperate for a semi final berth, but Basingstoke held firm. Despite being deep in their own 22, a big defensive rearguard kept the unrelenting Gosport carries in check, before a Gosport knock on three metres short of a line saw the game go 'Stoke's way.
Basingstoke now face league rivals Portsmouth on March 14 in the Hampshire Cup semi final!
