Basingstoke 30pts Reading 41

Martyn Humberstone

BASINGSTOKE were beaten at home for only the second time this season on Saturday.

Against Reading, 'Stoke rested several regular first teamers, including player-coach Ian Calder and last year's captain, Neal Taylor.

Both had slight injuries so the youngsters were given a chance to show what they could do in this friendly fixture against a side relegated from the national league along with Basingstoke last season.

The home side found themselves ahead for the second week running due to a mistake by the opposition.

After just two minutes, ex-Basingstoke player Norm Pattison knocked on, allowing Dave Jones to pick up and feed Chris Norton, who scored out wide for the first of his three tries.

Reading replied almost immediately though when 'Stoke failed to win two of their own scrummages and allowed the opposition to score near the posts and convert for a 7-5 lead.

Reading extended that lead with a second try when good lineout ball allowed them to score an unconverted try.

'Stoke reduced the deficit on 12 minutes after pressure resulted in Jones slotting over a penalty from 25 yards.

Reading replied strongly, widening their lead to 14 points with a converted try and a penalty.

Jones had a chance to cut the points gap with a penalty from a similar position to the one he succeeded with earlier but he hooked it and it was Reading who ran all the way to the other end when they capitalised on a loose pass.

'Stoke had the last say of the first half when a good catch and drive at a lineout resulted in a try to Steve Buttle which was converted to make the score 29-15 to Reading.

'Stoke seemed much more fired up in the second half, bolstered by the return of Phil Della-Savina, and they continuously put Reading on the back foot with especially good rucking.

This was rewarded straight from the kick-off when good handling allowed Norton to cross for his second try. Norton completed his hat-trick on 20 minutes, after Reading had scored their fifth try, when a good turnover allowed him to score wide out. 'Stoke then reduced the deficit to four points with a well-finished try by Carl White.

But Reading won the game in the 65th minute with a try from Patterson which killed off 'Stoke's hopes.

The home side battled bravely for the last 15 minutes but found themselves stuck in their own 22, with Reading using the wind advantage well.

Coach Calder said afterwards: "It was pleasing to to give some of the younger players a game and, with seven players either injured or unavailable, this was a very competitive match to see the strength of our squad.

"Dave Jones deserved his man-of-the-match award and Della-Savina added a more aggressive element to the forward display.

"We gave Reading a head start by not competing early in the first half but showed that we can compete when we have belief in our own ability.

"Next week against Sutton will be the test to see if we are progressing as a squad."

Basingstoke: C Norton (rep N Taylor); R Holmes, J Rees, G Jones, C White (rep A Byett); D Jones, S Taylor; N Young, M Evans, S Buttle, S Drawbridge, N Hooker, A Hopkins (rep P Della-Savina), R Baker (capt), M Reeve.