Basingstoke 3pts, Old Albanians 27

BASINGSTOKE suffered another defeat against a side they had targeted a win against.

The disappointing result also means they stay on nil points at the bottom of the London one table after six games.

As early as the first minute, 'Stoke conceded a needless penalty which the visitors kicked deep into the home side's 22.

A period of sustained pressure resulted in a score on three minutes as Old Albanians took an early 5-0 lead.

On a very wet and windy day, the visitors took advantage of the elements and continued to force 'Stoke deep into their own half.

As a result, another score came on 11 minutes, when an unforced handling error gave the visitors the ball on the 'Stoke 22 and they secured a try to extend the lead to 10-0.

'Stoke again became their worst enemy on the first visit into Old Albanians' 22.

A smart break from centre Vincent Feausi saw him link up with hooker Matt Evans inside the 22, but five metres from the line, the ball was given away.

Even though 'Stoke managed to stay for a short period in the visitors' 22, they came away with nothing when seven points were on offer.

The visitors continued to play the elements well and were rewarded with two unconverted tries on 28 and 32 minutes to extend their lead to 20-0.

'Stoke continued to attempt to play rugby into the howling wind.

After a sortie into the visitors' 22, they were left wanting when, 10 metres from the line and supporting players nearby, the ball was again needlessly thrown away and a try-scoring chance lost.

However, this time 'Stoke applied the pressure and Jim Dixon was held up on the line before a turnover ball allowed Albanians to clear.

On the stroke of half-time some slack marking allowed the visitors to score again, going under the posts for a converted try, to leave the half-time score 27-0.

And if their kicker had been more successful, the score could have been worse.

Now playing with the wind, 'Stoke had the opportunity to get into their opponents' half and were rewarded with three points on 42 minutes, when a penalty on their 22 was converted by Simon Humberstone.

Continued pressure resulted in another penalty on 47 minutes, which Humberstone narrowly pushed wide.

'Stoke were winning ball but once more they too often gave away possession by either being dispossessed or through needless penalties.

On numerous occasions, the home side made ground with a pick and drive but went one phase too far too often.

Few chances were created, although Simon Appleby was held up on the line and felt he had scored a legitimate try.

The visitors played the elements better than 'Stoke - but if the home team had converted the two opportunities in the first half and crossed the line instead of being held up, it could have been a different story.

Prop Steve Collins made a good return and was voted man of the match, but too often options were limited by the lack of runners being available and the needless turnover of possession.

Senior coach Dixon said afterwards: "That was a very disappointing performance after all the hard work we have put in at training.

"What we talked about and did in training we did not put into practice out there.

"Too often we are giving the ball away and have still not learned how to be patient in the opposition 22."

'Stoke: Parsons, Van Jaarsveld (Lucas), Buckland, Feausi, Rogers, Humberstone, Byett; Collins, Evans, Perkins (Davenport), Wilson, Hampson (Northcote R), Northcote T, Appleby, Dixon.