DESPITE three first half tries for Basingstoke, a feisty Hampshire derby, went the way of the visitors Gosport and Fareham 19-15 as they claimed only their third win of the season, writes CHRIS PRITCHARD.

Gosport scored first, but Stoke hit back and from a strong maul captain Rhyan Harmon to score and with the conversion unsuccessful from Kurtis Eagle the hosts trailed by two.

The home side had Kurtis Eagle yellow carded for alleged contact to the face which looked incredibly harsh. However, Stoke still took the lead thanks to Simon Appleby as he added another to his tally for the season to score in the far corner. Another missed kick meant Stoke’s lead was a slender one.

Gosport almost responded immediately from the restart but some great last ditch defence from Harmon kept home side’s lead intact.

Stoke then lost Chris Dorling and Drew Paterson through injury leaving them with just 15 players for the rest of the game.

Despite this they scored their third try after James Savine took advantage of some quick slick hands along the back line to dot down in the corner right on half time, still playing with a man in the sin bin.

With the score 15-7 at half time, Stoke looked to be in control of the game, but the visitors scored twice to win the game.