BASINGSTOKE RFC’s second string maintained their 100 per cent record in the Hampshire Senior Merit League with a comprehensive 67-12 victory away at Trojans.

The highlight of an impressive performance was a hat-trick for centre Matt Guilfoyle, making his first appearance after 10 months out with injury.

The result means that Basingstoke have now won all nine of their games so far this season which leaves them five points clear at the top of the table.

The third team did not fare quite so well in their Hampshire Merit Division One game away at Winchester, going down 22-0.

Winchester currently lead the table and unavailability issues left Basingstoke, who sit third, forced to play largely their fourth team. Despite this, it was a great effort from the ’Stoke side, who dominated for long periods without managing to force their way over the line and defended well to keep the score down.

There was more bad news for the club’s under-15s, who lost their Hampshire Cup semi-final at home to Trojans 24-3. The match was closer than the final score suggests, with Matt Kouris kicking a penalty for ’Stoke’s only points of the game.