Kingsclere battle but are unable to overcome early deficit (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Kingsclere battle but are unable to overcome early deficit

10:00am Friday 22nd March 2013 in Sport

KINGSCLERE RFC produced a battling performance but were unable to recover from a slow start away at Crowthorne in the Berks, Bucks and Oxon Championship.

The hosts got off to a brilliant start, with three early tries helping them to a 20-0 lead in the opening stages. Kingsclere responded, Hamish Glynn touching down for a try after Stuart Burns was stopped just short, with Anders Hiscock adding the conversion.

Crowthorne hit straight back, adding another try – but Kingsclere reduced the lead to 25-14 at half-time, Chris Guyett going over for a try, with Hiscock again kicking the conversion.

The hosts made a strong start to the second-half, adding a converted try – but it was the visitors who dominated the game after this.

Ed Roberts touched down for a try that Hiscock again converted, before Burns scored to cut the deficit to just six points.

Crowthorne relieved the pressure with a penalty that put the game just beyond the reach of Kingsclere, who scored a fifth try through Roberts just before the final whistle, making the score 35-31 at the end of 80 minutes.

Kingsclere travel to local rivals Aldermaston on Saturday. Both sides need to win as they look to move away from the bottom of the table.

Tadley were the only other north Hampshire side in action and they are now seven points adrift of the sides above them in the Southern Counties North table after losing 20-0 at Olney. Next up is a trip to eighth-placed Alchester.

In Hampshire Two, third-placed Overton host fourth-placed Fawley, while Chineham are without a game for a second week.