A STATEMENT performance from the Basingstoke 1st XV brought back a bonus point win against a tough St Jacques Vikings side.
Overcoming a long day of travel, scores from Simon Appleby, Luke Wareham, Alfie Rowley and Dan Mairs went alongside a double from debutant Sam Clarkson to earn a 40-27 win.
In a rematch of one of Basingstoke's only losses last year, the side knew they were in for a big test of their early season form.
Significant work during the week had gone in to iron out some serious chinks identified in the Basingstoke's game and the boys were keen to right some wrongs from the Havant result.
'Stoke had the better of the early proceedings, with Alfie Rowley missing a chance to put the side in front early on. The miss wasn't to be dwelled on for too long, with Simon Appleby putting in a characteristic no nonsense carry off the base of a 5 metre scrum to get himself over the line and Basingstoke onto the scoreboard. Rowley duly added the extras to take the lead out to 7.
A spell of Guernsey pressure followed the score, with Basingstoke holding out well. A high tackle from Matt Mairs gave the island side an opportunity to kick to the corner, where a well executed set piece saw them peel off the maul and earn a score of their own. The conversion was hooked wide, meaning Stoke kept the early lead.
As the saying goes, the score is only worth something once you're able to exit off the kick off, and 'Stoke took full advantage with an immediate response. The kick off receipt was fumbled by the Vikings and the drop was gleefully accepted by flanker Luke Wareham, running in from 22 metres out to extend the lead to 9 points.
Much of the rest of the first half was played on Guernsey's terms, and the side made the most of this to score two more tries and take the lead going into the half. The first was a well worked score off a messy line out, taking the ball from one flank to the other and back again to score out wide, while the second came from a line break through the midfield and the score was finished by a Guernsey forward. The home side were close to scoring their fourth before half time, but some strong Basingstoke defence kept them out to leave the score at 17-14 at the break.
Coming out after the break, 'Stoke knew they needed the next score to kill any momentum St Jacques had built and bring back the win. A chance was created when Wareham put Appleby through a whole, but the opportunity went begging when Dan Mairs knocked on.
The score they needed did follow soon after. A misplaced pass from Guernsey on their 22 was pounded upon by Clarkson and the openside ran the distance to earn his first score for the Basingstoke 1st XV.
This kick-started a strong ten minutes for the back rower - with confidence brewing after his debut score, he made a 50 metre gain off a quick tap penalty before a powerful carry from two metres out got him over the line to score his second and the side's fourth.
Alfie Rowley got himself on the scoreboard next, with a neat line out the back of a forward pod. With all five tries being converted by the captain, the score was at 17-35.
With the lead looking comfortable for the first time, a high tackle from Luke Wareham left the side down to 14. From the penalty, St Jacques opted for a scrum, where a well worked move down the blind side got the hosts their bonus point score.
With time running out, 'Stoke could still have done with one more score to close out the game. Clarkson and Oscar Rowley both made significant ground with line breaks, before Soa Crawford-Falekaono made a strong carry to get the side within striking distance of the line. Dan Mairs was on hand to crash over the line for the sides sixth score, leaving the result beyond any doubt.
With injuries mounting, 'Stoke ended the match with 13 men on the pitch. With overlaps all over, the Vikings earned one last score out wide on the final whistle, to take the score to 27-40 in favour of the visitors.
Next up for the side is the visit of New Milton next Saturday.
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