BASINGSTOKE RFC have a tough opening fixture for this month as they travel to South West Two leaders Cobham.

The Surrey side have lost just once in 14 outings this season and beat Stoke 53-0 in the reverse fixture in November.

Stoke head coach Gareth Hatherley-Hurford admitted January had been a difficult month for the team, due to injuries and the availabilities of players, which disrupted them being about to play a consistence team.

However, he remains upbeat and said: “We have got some very exciting plans going forward. We want to be as positive as possible about the future leading into pre-season and next season which ever league that may be.”

He added: “We have some fantastic players at this club and I’m excited to see how the next few seasons progress as a lot of the boys are very young and Basingstoke RFC through and through.”

This is Hatherley-Hurford’s first season in charge at the club and he said: “I had to get to know the players and all at the club are pulling together to try and make the future of this club a positive one.

“Mark Fricker and I have always said we need the boys to enjoy their rugby both in training and games,”

He added: “So whilst the table says one thing, from an outsider looking in, the real story is something else and it is going to be a long journey ahead for us all.”

“We will get there and we will do it together. I have the upmost respect for the boys wearing this clubs shirt week in week out. It takes great courage to continue facing the battle that’s ahead of them. It is the real test of character that I admire in all of them. It is so easy to become disillusioned with losing all the time and just walk away.”

The head coach praised his club captain Rob Northcote and said: "He has not played for two seasons, came back and was selected as captain. He does a sterling job on and off the field.

“He carries the weight of expectation on his shoulders he has my full support and respect because it cannot be easy for him. If I could do anything for him this season it would be to give him a win as captain as he deserves nothing less.”

In conclusion Hatherley-Hurford said: “This club was once considered a great club because of where it played. I personally still consider this club to be great club, but probably for different reasons now. It will continue to be a great club in the future for the same as before the same as now and possibly different reasons to come.”