BASINGSTOKE RFC head coach James Croker needed to give his side a half-time talking to as they struggled to get the better of Beckenham at Down Grange on Saturday.

’Stoke made it three wins out of three in London One South with a 23-6 victory over the Kent side.

But the home side were not on their game in the first half, with the sides level at 6-6 going into the break.

After a half-time pep talk, Basingstoke were much improved in the second period, scoring three tries to emerge as comfortable winners.

Winger Gareth Kelly continued his fine scoring run by touching down for the first try, centre Callum Staff added a second soon after and hooker Lloyd Staszkiewcz got the third late on.

Speaking after the match, Croker, pictured, revealed that he had been far from happy with his side in the opening period.

“In the first half we showed both a lack of energy and abrasiveness,” he said. “We were often second to everything at the breakdown, gave away too many penalties and it was only the boot of Andrew Humberstone that gave us any parity.

“We discussed things at half-time and our second half performance saw off a team that we made look good in the first period.

“We created a lot more opportunities as a result and were able to run our patterns and give ourselves options in the channels.”

See The Monday Gazette for a full report.