Basingstoke 26pts, Barking 49

FX-backed Basingstoke showed great character to come back and dominate the second half after a lacklustre first 40 minutes on Saturday.

The first half was disjointed for the home side and too many turnovers and missed tackles allowed the opposition to run the ball back and score almost at will.

After 20 minutes, 'Stoke found themselves 20-0 down after conceding three tries, a conversion and a penalty.

Two of the tries followed turnovers in Barking's half and they returned the errors with interest. One of the tries was aided by six missed tackles in the build-up.

After 26 minutes, 'Stoke put together their first sustained passage of play, to win a penalty on the visitors' 22, which was kicked to touch. Six phases of play later, Neil Barton crossed the line and player-coach Ian Calder added a difficult conversion.

'Stoke were loose at the re-start and were again punished by the visitors scoring a converted try to extend their lead to 27-7.

Unforced errors continued to gift the ball to Barking, who scored two more unconverted tries before the break to lead 37-7 at the interval. 'Stoke's cause was not helped when Calder limped off on 35 minutes with a hamstring injury.

'Stoke started the second half in command and had a sustained period of pressure in the visitors' 22. However, they could not score and, on 49 minutes, Barking's No 8 broke from a scrum close to his own line to run 40 metres. He had plenty of support from his team to finish off and score.

This was harsh on 'Stoke, particularly the front row who perfomed well throughout the match. They then showed great character to reply on 52 minutes when Simon Buckland, who had a superb day, finished off a period of pressure. Robbie Northcote converted to cut the gap to 42-14.

'Stoke were starting to control possession more but were still making unforced errors. They were again punished for this on 62 minutes when Barking scored a converted try to lead 49-14.

'Stoke rallied for the remainder of the match and spent most of the time in Barking's 22. They were rewarded with tries from Jim Dixon and Tom Vincent, one of which was converted.

'Stoke could have scored more points during this period. Hampson crossed the line without a try being awarded and, despite numerous five-metre scrums, they could not break through the cover.

Afterwards Calder said: "We made too many unforced errors and gave away the ball too often.

"In the first half we stood off in defence and allowed them to attack too easily. When we pressurised them in the second half, we cut down their space and were then the better team."

Basingstoke: Barton; Cullum, Buckland, Northcote, Holmes; Calder (rep White), Vincent; Young, Evans, Hobden, Stirling, Wilson, Dixon, Appleby, St Bernard (rep Hampson). Subs not used: Buttle, Sylvester.