Vital away win for 'Stoke

JIM DIXON praised his Basingstoke side's solid defence as instrumental in helping secure another away win.

A hard-working performance yielded a vital two-point reward, but it was also a victory that enhanced 'Stoke's points difference at the same time.

If 'Stoke can continue to put the effort in, as they have over the last few weeks, then it will be their own results that will bring London one league safety - they won't have to worry about other team's results.

The game was based around determined defence, improved scrummaging and kicking points when on offer.

'Stoke only conceded one try and that was down to their own error, while they restricted the home side to only two penalty attempts.

The early exchanges went in favour of the visitors, who had plenty of the ball but could not find a way through the Stortford defence.

'Stoke were not helped with confusion over the referee wearing a red shirt that nearly matched the home shirt. After making him aware of this problem he duly changed his top.

The first scoring chance went to Stortford, who missed a penalty on 14 minutes.

'Stoke responded with some good play from the forwards, which led to advanced positions but no points.

Then, in a 10-minute spell, 'Stoke scored two splendid tries.

The first was as a result of good recycled ball from the third phase that allowed Sebastian Berti to scamper over in the corner.

Simon Humberstone missed the conversion but that was to be his only miss of the day.

The second try came from a blind-side break by Darren Lillywhite, who fed the ever-present Dixon. The number 8 was able to offload in the tackle to feed Simon Buckland to score. Humberstone added the two points.

For the last 10 minutes of the half it was all the home side, but they made too many errors and dropped passes.

This was, in part, their own fault, but a lot of credit has to be due to the pressure that 'Stoke's defence put on them.

Tackles came in from everywhere and bodies were put in the way. All Stortford gained was a penalty on half-time.

The start of the second half saw Stortford continue to pressurise, but again they came away with nothing.

'Stoke gradually moved the play into the opposing half and were now regaining control of the game.

As a result of the pressure, 'Stoke were given a penalty 30 metres out, converted by Humberstone.

Continued pressure saw 'Stoke camped in the visitors' 22, but they could not score a try.

Their only reward was another Humberstone penalty from 35 metres out, which gave 'Stoke an 18-3 scoreline and a three-score cushion with 10 minutes to go.

With five minutes left, and the home team pressurising the 'Stoke 22, a mis-directed pass that went to ground and a charge down saw Stortford close the gap by seven points.

They came back again at 'Stoke, who had Andy Wilson yellow-carded with two minutes to go.

Now camped on the 'Stoke line, Stortford made the game more tense than it should have been for Dixon's men.

However, the defence held firm and on full-time Buckland intercepted two metres out and went the length of the pitch to score. Humberstone added the tricky two points just before the final whistle.

Hooker Pete Maxwell got the man-of-the-match award, closely followed by Buckland and Tom Northcote, who has made the back-row selection interesting. Humberstone kicked the vital points when needed.

Dixon commented afterwards: "That was a terrific defensive performance from the whole team. We came here for a win and that is what we got. Our ability to recycle good ball is improving and our set-piece play got better as the game progressed but still needs work.

"The lads will have a week off next week, but we will work hard in training to be ready for the visit of Richmond on March 12."

'Stoke: Humberstone, Buckland, Feausi, Chimbima, Lucas, Berti, Lillywhite; Rushworth, Maxwell, Bussati, Wilson, R Northcote, T Northcote, Appleby, Dixon. Not used: Rogers, Hopkins, Davenport.