Maidenhead 22, Basingstoke 19

AFTER a week's rest from rugby, 'Stoke travelled to fifth-placed Maidenhead and, with promotion hopes out the window, the visitors were looking to end the season on a high.

Like so often before in the 2005-2006 season, 'Stoke gifted the opposition a 12-point lead within the first five minutes.

This early warning sign was, thankfully, noticed by the 'Stoke side who dominated the next 15 minutes against withering opponents.

Unfortunately, 'Stoke had nothing to show for their pressure, and a drinks break at 20 minutes, due to the high temperature, allowed Maidenhead to recover.

'Stoke did get themselves on the scoreboard just minutes later when Matt Lucas finished off a three-man overlap to score in the corner.

Winger Ollie Rogers, filling in for the absent Simon Humberstone, missed the tricky conversion to leave the score 12-5.

The remainder of the half was all 'Stoke, but the only points that were to follow came via a Maidenhead penalty, gifted to them from unnecessary penalties, and the score was 15-5 at the half-time break.

The second half started like the first ended, with 'Stoke having all the pressure and Maidenhead getting the points, this time with a breakaway try which was duly converted.

'Stoke kept up their pressure and had many chances to score. Eventually, on 60 minutes, they were given a glimmer of hope when Dave Lambert scored under the posts.

Rogers converted and 'Stoke were back within two scores.

On 70 minutes, captain Simon Appleby finished off a well-worked, free-flowing move which began 70 metres earlier.

Rogers converted to bring 'Stoke within three points. The visitors had numerous opportunities to take the lead, but often poor hands let them down at the last minute.

Three good breaks from Jim Dixon, Grant Murdoch and Ross Stirling were not finished off as 'Stoke battled for a win which eluded them.

The disappointment on the players' faces showed how important this game was but, as has been the case this season, the promising play failed to yield a win.

Dixon and Appleby (pictured above) led by example and the side battled to the end but, ultimately, the bad start proved costly.

Player-coach Dixon added afterwards: "That was disappointing as we dominated much of the game.

"Basic errors let us down at crucial times.

"It was a great pity as it was the last game for some players and a win would have sent them off with better memories."

'Stoke: Ollie Rogers; Dave Lambert, Simon Buckland, Matt Lucas, Grant Murdoch; Carl Marshall, Jamie Fish; Kym Townsend (rep Phil Perkins), Simon Lovegrove, Shane Murphy, Russell Northcote (rep Adie Hopkins), Ross Stirling, Jim Dixon, Simon Appleby, Tom Northcote.

First published: Monday, April 24, 2006