Basingstoke 7 pts, Havant 55

BASINGSTOKE'S hopes of regaining the Hampshire Cup were dashed by a ruthless display from visitors Havant in the final at Down Grange yesterday afternoon.

The National League three south side dominated from the start and Jim Dixon's Basingstoke side had no answer.

Havant opened the scoring on six minutes through full-back Anton Petzer, who was able to score from close range after No8 Dylan Raubenheimer set up a ruck and spread the ball right. Centre Sid Claffey kicked the conversion for a 7-0 lead.

Havant's control of the proceedings led to frustration in the 'Stoke ranks and they gave away four penalties in the space of 10 minutes. These were all kicked by Claffey from various distances.

On 26 minutes, the home side moved upfield and drove for the line from six metres out, but the visitors held firm and repelled 'Stoke just before the try line.

They tried to recycle the ball but Matt Lucas was tackled and, with no support, he held on to the ball and possession was lost to Havant.

On 31 minutes, a wonderful passage of play by Havant saw the ball recycled six times before Paddy Conlon passed to Raubenheimer to bundle over, despite the efforts of 'Stoke's Simon Humberstone.

Claffey missed the conversion, but he did better with the final try of the half, scored by Steve Cruddas, to make it 31-0 at half time.

Havant carried on in the same vein after the break, as Cam Avery out-muscled Simon Buckland to score. Claffey hit the post with the conversion.

Dixon made a couple of changes which saw Lord Wandsworth captain Jamie Fish come on as scrum half and Lucas move to full-back. Sebastian Berti also went to fly-half and then Tom Northcote replaced Chris Williams.

This saw 'Stoke more determined, but still the points piled up for the visitors as Ali Ramus scored on 57 minutes to make it 41-0.

Soon after, pacy winger Matt Gronow was able to run under the posts. Claffey converted.

'Stoke made some ground as Simon Appleby's lineout pass found Fish and he fed Berti. A lovely low kick was nearly collected by Vincent Feausi, but instead Gronow picked up the ball and launched another Havant attack.

They lost possesion, but as 'Stoke's Lucas tried to kick the ball away, it rebounded back into the try-scoring zone and Gronow won the race with Dixon to the touchdown. Claffey converted for a 55-0 lead

In the final minutes, a determined Dixon picked up the ball at the base of the scrum eight metres out and charged through two tackles to score. Berti converted for a final score of 55-7.

Havant captain Jon Barfoot received the cup from Jed Stone, president of the Hampshire RFU, in front of the stand and it now means that the teams are tied at four wins each in the Hampshire Cup finals they have contested against each other.

'Stoke: Simon Humberstone (rep Jamie Fish 45min); Simon Buckland, Vincent Feausi, Elimon Chimbima (rep Dan Rees 65min), Carl Saunders; Matt Lucas, Sebastian Berti; Mark Rushworth, Pete Maxwell, Phil Perkins (rep Roberto Bussati 75min), Ross Stirling, Russell Northcote, Chris Williams (rep Tom Northcote 53min), Simon Appleby, Jim Dixon. Reps: Andy Wilson, Ollie Rogers.

Havant: Anton Petzer; Cam Avery, Neil McGovern, Sid Claffey, Matt Gronow; Owen Cobbe, Liam Davenport; Stuart Ingram, Steve Cruddas, Paddy Conlon; Ali Ramus, Graham Butterworth, Matt Harrison, Jon Barfoot, Dylan Raubenheimer. Reps: Dave Harrity, Rob Lawrence, Nick Whittle, Matt Morgan, Owen Jones, Grant Morris.