Basingstoke 22pts Winchester 7

BASINGSTOKE boosted their chances of getting into one of the two promotion spots with a good win in the local derby against Winchester on Saturday, writes Martyn Humberstone.

'Stoke could have scored more points but, when Ian Calder went off for a blood injury, some tactical kicking killed off the game.

The home side started the stronger and were ahead after just two minutes when Winchester failed to clear a kick from Calder and Tom Dean fly-hacked on to score under the posts. Calder converted.

'Stoke, like the week before, began to build a lead and after good pressure were rewarded with a Calder penalty on 10 minutes.

The Down Grange side then went through a good period but, as in so many other games, they were unable to find that final pass to score.

Chris Norton and Calder in particular made good breaks, slicing through the Winchester defence like butter.

'Stoke did, however, manage one more score before half-time when a good break by Norton set up a good attacking position inside the Winchester 22 on 35 minutes.

After five good phases of play, Gareth Jones eventually crashed over wide out, with Calder again converting.

'Stoke could have won the game then with four or five more chances to score but, as they so often do, they let Winchester back in it when a lapse in concentration allowed the visitors to score a converted try to make it 17-7 at half-time.

After the break, 'Stoke took control with good tactical kicking and set piece play. This was rewarded with a try after 50 minutes when a good chip by Neal Taylor resulted in his centre partner Jason Rees going over out wide to complete the scoring.

There were lots of positives that came out of this game especially the way the defence improved against Winchester's strong lineouts.

With London Nigerians losing, Basingstoke moved up to third in London division one.

Basingstoke: C Norton; R Holmes, J Rees, N Taylor, G Jones; I Calder (rep S Taylor 50min), T Dean; N Young, A Riley(rep M Evans 72min), S Collins, S Drawbridge, N Hooker (rep A Hopkins 75min), A Wilson, R Baker, M Reeve.