BASINGSTOKE RFC enjoyed their first home win of the season as they beat visiting Thurrock 36-15 to move up to 11th in the National League Three London standings.

The home side got to a dream start in the third minute, as Jake Whitby picked off a stray pass and ran from his own half to score and Adam Davies kicked over the conversion.

Soon after, Thurrock’s Frankie Neal missed a kickable penalty, but his side got on the scoreboard, as good pressure from line-out saw Brad Rettigan score. Neal missed the conversion ’Stoke still lead 7-5.

On 18 minutes, the home side score their second try of the game, as a Thurrock kick is charged down and a long pass from Jamie Fish allows Gavin Dampies to score, but Davies misses the extras.

The game is then delayed as in starting the move which led to the second try, Whitby suffered a bad ankle injury and is stretched off the pitch.

Thurrock then enjoy a good period of play and after a lost line-out in the ’Stoke 22, Neal kicks a penalty straight through the posts.

The visitors are then awarded a penalty try which is converted and they take the lead 15-12.

However, the sides go in at half-time level, as Davies slots over a penalty from 40 metres out.

After the interval, ’Stoke really take the game to the visitors and Davies’ boot puts them in front with another penalty.

Fly-half Davies then produces the kick of the game so far, from 55 metres out, as his side take a 21-15 advantage.
 

With 10 minutes left, Davies strikes again with a penalty and then Jamie Fish scores a try as he peels off the side of the scrum. Davies takes a quick conversion, but it hits the post.

The game looks won, but Basingstoke are not about to sit back and into injury time Davies scores under the posts for the bonus point try.

It is left to Ash Paterson, in his final game for the club, to slot over the conversion with the last kick of the game as ’Stoke run out deserved 36-15 winners.