BASINGSTOKE RFC’s opening pre-season fixture was marred by a serious injury to centre Tim Richards.

The 24-year-old missed the whole of last season with a back injury but was on the comeback trail before suffering a dislocated foot and breaking several toes during Saturday’s home friendly against London Irish Amateur. His injuries are expected to keep him out for four months, meaning he is unlikely to play again this year.

Head coach James Croker said: “Losing Tim is a setback because he would have been in and around the first team but I believe we have the strength in depth to deal with it. That is why we are spending the summer looking at a lot of players.

“Injuries are unfortunately part of playing the game. It is sad when it happens but I want the guys to be just as committed now as they will be throughout the season.”

Other than the injury to Richards, Croker was encouraged by his new team’s performance.

A total of 31 players took to the field for the home side during four quarters of action and while ’Stoke lost heavily to a side recently promoted from the London One South division they will play in this season, Croker was able to take plenty of positives from the game.

“I was really pleased overall and got what I wanted out of it,” he said. “Andy Hore stood out in the second row but overall I was happy with the whole team.

“We played 31 players, chopping and changing to have a look at different combinations. They had a much more settled side and it showed, which is why we were not too concerned by the result.”

Basingstoke scored one try, with new signing Junior Korabai at centre cutting a good line from inside the London Irish 22 to touch down.

Next up for Basingstoke is an inter-squad match at Down Grange tonight (kick-off 7.30pm), giving Croker a chance to have a closer look at more of his prospective players.

“I have heard a lot about the players but I want to actually see them all in action in their best positions, which means we have to play 50 players throughout the course of the summer,” he said.

“A number will be playing who were not around at the weekend. The likes of Ashley Paterson, Drew Humberstone and Ollie John did not feature and I am looking forward to seeing some more of the guys in action.”