SCOTT Taylor, an ever-present in the Basingstoke first team this season until last Saturday, has lost his place in the starting line-up tomorrow (2.15pm).

The scrum-half, with three tries this season, will be one of three replacements when one of his former clubs, Winchester, make the trip to Down Grange.

Tom Dean last week deputised for Taylor, who was unable to make the long trip to Kent to tackle Thanet Wanderers because of work commitments.

Dean, in his first full outing of the season, impressed coach Ian Calder, his half-back partner, as Basingstoke won 45-33.

Calder said: "It was a tough call between the two players. Scott can play centre or anywhere in the back line so we have wider coverage than we had before.

"He will continue to train and he will get another opportunity."

Winchester climbed to within two places of Basingstoke after beating Sutton and Epsom 27-26 last Saturday and, if they hold that form line, the London division one match tomorrow should be a thriller.

"I think Winchester have won their last three games," said Calder. "They beat Sutton last week which is something we failed to do."

He is able to name something close to his strongest line-up although there are no places for Matt Dangerfield and Rafer Joseph.

Prop Steve Buttle is the unlucky player to drop out of the first team squad while Marcus Reeve returns at No 8.

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