BASINGSTOKE joined fellow Hampshire side Havant in the National League season with a fine all-round 29-13 victory over West Country outfit, Dings Crusaders at Down Grange.

Having finished runners-up to Havant in London Division 1, the play-off was set up between them and the South-West Division 1 runners-up.

Coach Ian Calder praised his team after clinching the final promotion spot: "The lads did us proud today.

"The conditions were not ideal for flowing rugby, but it was a great achievement to come back so soon to the National League.

"So all in all, it was a great season, added to our Hampshire Cup victory over our biggest rivals, Havant.

"We had a bad start to the season with some injuries and with the new set-up at the club, it took us time to settle.

"As to next season back in the National League, we will need to add some additional strength in one or two positions if we are to avoid the ignominy of bouncing down again."

Two tries by Calder himself and one each from Jason Rees and Chris Norton, plus a penalty and two conversions from Calder, were the point scorers.

Meanwhile Portsmouth failed to reach London Division 1, going down to a strong Southend side 36-15 in their play-off.

Tries by Mike Caspall and Mark Whitcher, with a conversion and a penalty from Neil Styles was not enough against a strong Essex side.

Portsmouth had a much weakened line-up, fielding only five of the side that played in the league at Canterbury the previous week.

They lost the bulk of their team who had linked up earlier in the week with a Solent Barbarians touring side on a week-long trip to Bulgaria.

Coach Nigel Morgan was upbeat about the match. He said: "It was a terrific 100 per cent performance against a good side.

"We only lost by three tries to two but the difference is that their kicker had a field day missing just one of his attempts.

"Considering we had 41-year-old Alun Rees, and a 43-year-old scrum-half playing in the last quarter, we were proud of their achievement.

"There is no animosity against the boys who went to Bulgaria, it was just unfortunate and predictably Southend did not wish to alter the play-off date."

Gosport & Fareham received a walkover in their final London Division 2 league match of the season against Sevenoaks.

The Kent team did bring a side which included some unregistered players. Instead of calling the game off and at the request of Gosport, a friendly was arranged which the hosts won 51-10.

Three tries from Andy Vance and Jamie Daly, a brace from Jonathan Wood and a single try from Sean Fanning, plus two conversions from Richard Lloyd and one from Fanning completed a comprehensive victory.

Secretary Iain Rackham admitted their cup exploits which had seen them reach the Intermediate Cup Final at Twickenham had proved a major distraction to their London Division 2 promotion campaign.

He said: "If someone had said to us at the beginning of the season that we would finish third in the league and reach a Twickenham final then I would have called for the nearest mental establishment.

"However in the end, we were disappointed that perhaps the distraction of the cup run cost us promotion.

"We will never know, but we will be raring to go next year, and already plans are in the making."