HAVING seen his side claim their second win of the season on Saturday, Basingstoke RFC head club coach Junior Paramore admits that this weekend’s break from action has come at a bad time.

’Stoke beat fellow strugglers Diss 42-23 at Down Grange last week – in a match Paramore had identified as a “must-win game” for his team.

The squad must be itching to return to action as they look to build on this victory – but they are without a game this week.

“I would like to have had a game this week and that is the sad thing about it,” Paramore said.

“We wanted to keep the momentum going, so it’s not great to have a week off but most of the boys will have a game in the second team to keep the fitness up.”

Last weekend’s result against Diss lifted Basingstoke out of the National Three London relegation zone.

They had been bottom-of-the-table going into the game but the bonus point win lifted them above their |opponents and North Walsham, who they play next week.

’Stoke trailed 17-0 at one stage but recovered brilliantly, running in six tries and completely dominating the second half.

Paramore said: “I was really delighted with the way the boys played.

“They worked very hard, kept their concentration and went home happy.

“It gave me a lot of hope for the future.

“Hopefully we can build on the result and start winning more games.”

Two of the try-scorers were James Tate and Freddie Gleadowe, who have started playing for the club after Paramore forged links with the University of Southampton.

“It’s good to see that link-up bearing fruit already,” Paramore added.

“They both played fantastically well, especially Freddie Gleadowe, who scored one try and set up a couple of others.”