HAVING shot up to fourth in the National Three London table, Basingstoke have their sights set on local rivals Bracknell as they target a place in the top three.

Saturday’s 25-21 win over Bishop’s Stortford saw ’Stoke climb above Hertford, Havant and Dorking to lie fourth at the halfway stage of the season – eight points behind Bracknell.

Coach Gareth Lewis admits that a place in the top two may be unachievable but is hoping that a good run could see the Down Grange side challenging the Berkshire club for third.

“We have beaten Bracknell and very much hope we can go to their place in January and do the same again,” he said. “If we can pick up a win there, it should be very close.

“One win moved us up three places and that is how quickly things can change with the bonus point system. We are halfway through the season now and everyone is over the moon to be in fourth having won eight and lost five. If we are able to fight for third, that would be a major achievement.”

Next up for ’Stoke is a home game against Sutton and Epsom on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

The Surrey side have won just three times all season but recorded one of those victories last weekend, beating Portsmouth 17-16.

Basingstoke won 21-12 when the sides met back in September and go into the game having won their last two – but Lewis is taking nothing for granted.

“We have beaten Sutton and Epsom once but expectation will be high as a result and we have to defend against complacency,” he said. “We have to go into the game forgetting about what has gone before.

“We are looking to win and are back on home turf but Sutton have will be trying to learn their lessons from the last game. I expect them to try and stop us playing, which will be the exciting battle.

Lewis is expecting a tough battle in the forwards but says he has been impressed by the way ’Stoke have performed during the recent spell of bad weather – which was expected to test their expansive game.

“Sutton and Epsom had a big pack when we played them before and will be a tough proposition in these conditions but we are starting to adapt and gel well, doing the donkey work as well as throwing the ball around,” he said.

“The weather does not suit us at the moment and that is why the last couple of games have been so pleasing.”

Basingstoke will be without Simon Buckland, whose shoulder injury is taking longer than expected to heal, while former All Black flanker Sam Harding has returned to New Zealand for Christmas and is not expected back until February.

But Jamie Folan is expected to return after missing the last game with a bruised calf.