Basingstoke 31pts, London Nigerians 12

WITH other London one results going their way, Basingstoke were able to ease their relegation fears at Down Grange.

The bigger visitors secured early possession to put 'Stoke on the back foot and a missed penalty in front of the posts on 10 minutes was an early let-off for the home side.

This wake-up call inspired 'Stoke to play better rugby and move into their opponents' 22. Recycling the ball effectively and finding openings in the visitors' defence, they were rewarded with three converted tries in a five-minute spell to open a 21-0 lead.

On 23 minutes, Vincent Feausi broke through to score. Then Pete Maxwell finished off a spell of pressure before, on 28 minutes, Simon Buckland touched down the third try.

All three were converted by Seb Berti.

'Stoke then seemed to switch off and Nigerians battled back with tries either side of half-time.

On 41 minutes, the visitors were rewarded with a try from their larger-than-life winger named Junior, who went over from five metres out with three men hanging on to him.

Then a converted try under the posts came from an early ruck in the second half to cut the home lead to 21-12.

'Stoke regained their composure but basic errors in possession combined with Nigerian injuries to slow down the game.

The home side settled the game on 74 minutes with a Simon Appleby try, converted by Berti.

'Stoke completed the scoring on 83 minutes with a Humberstone penalty.

Ross Stirling worked well in the lineouts and the back row combined well as a unit.

The backs gave cause for concern on overlaps, when two tries went begging due to forward passes.

Player-coach Jim Dixon said: "We played good rugby at times and defended well when asked to. It was pleasing to see some of our training drills work in match situations. The next two weeks are vital for us as a team."

Basingstoke: S Humberstone; S Buckland, V Feausi, E Chimbima, o Rogers; S Berti (rep M Lucas), S Lillywhite; P Perkins (rep M Rushworth), P Maxwell, R Bassati, A Wilson, R Stirling, S Appleby (rep T Northcote), D Rees, J Dixon.