Basingstoke 28, Thanet Wanderers 5

IT has been eight games in coming, but on Saturday 'Stoke finally recorded their first London Division One league win with victory over Thanet.

While 'Stoke remain bottom of the table, this much-needed success gives them a massive confidence boost for upcoming fixtures.

The Down Grange-based club performed to the level they are able to play.

In doing so, they eradicated a lot of the errors that have seen them concede points - a major plus for 'Stoke player-coach Jim Dixon.

A delighted Dixon said: "That win was a long time coming but we deserved it. We kept focused and played very well as a team.

"At long last, we put into practice what we have been doing at training. Now, we have to do more of the same next week when we take on the leaders, Worthing."

However, Saturday's game at Down Grange was one that very nearly didn't happen. With the visitors delayed and still over an hour away at 2pm, it was always going to be a tight decision as to whether the game would take place or not.

The opposition eventually arrived at 3.15pm and, in consultation with the referee, both captains agreed to play the match, hoping that, as league rules apply, a result would stand if 60 minutes were played.

The match started brightly for 'Stoke, and new half-back Sebastian Berti had an early influence with a nice break that put 'Stoke in their opponents' half.

'Stoke had the better of the first 10 minutes and were rewarded on 12 minutes when Dixon was on hand to brush aside two tackles from 10 metres out to score under the posts. Berti added the conversion for a lead that 'Stoke did not give away.

Thanet came back on 17 minutes with a try to reduce the lead to 7-5 but 'Stoke went on the offensive for the next 20 minutes and produced some of their best play of the season.

As a result, 'Stoke added two further tries through the hard-working Simon Appleby and the hard-running Vincent Feausi, both converted by Berti for a lead of 21-5 on 36 minutes.

Although Thanet finished the half in 'Stoke's 22, the defence was organised and did not concede a point when, in the past, they have faltered.

The second half started well for 'Stoke with full-back Matt Lucas scoring on 46 minutes, after rounding off a flowing move from the 22 to score under the posts. Berti made the conversion.

With a four-score cushion, 'Stoke relaxed and started to play with a bit more freedom. With the light starting to fade and the crucial 60-minute period approaching, 'Stoke continued to play the better rugby, although the loss of hooker Matt Evans caused a slight disruption.

On 62 minutes, the referee confirmed that a result would stand and this seemed to inspire Thanet into action. For a 10-minute spell, they were the better side and 'Stoke started to give away possession and penalties.

But the determined 'Stoke team were not to be beaten and they defended resolutely to keep the visitors at bay.

Overall, the side played well as a team, with prop Steve Collins back to his former self and dominating scrums. Ross Stirling added an option in the line-out and the loose forwards got about the pitch.

Man-of-the-match Berti added class to the side and, with the ball being won by the forwards, it allowed the backs more time and space to use the ball.

'Stoke: Lucas, White (Humberstone), Buckland, Feausi, Rogers, Berti, Byett; Collins, Evans (Hobden), Perkins, Wilson, Stirling, Northcote, Appleby, Dixon. Not used: Hampson.

Anyone who wants to purchase one of the Basingstoke RFC Stand Up 4 'Stoke calendars, which featured on page three of Friday's Gazette, can do so by e-mailing their order to basingstokerfc@btinternet.com - the calendar costs £5 plus £2.50 postage and packing.