BASINGSTOKE RFC head coach James Croker believes that results elsewhere in London One South mean his side are back in the title hunt.

Croker had conceded that ’Stoke were probably fighting for second place following their defeat at Chichester – but their defeat away at Hove two weeks ago means Basingstoke are just seven points off top spot.

’Stoke have six games to go, including crucial clashes against promotion rivals Old Elthamians and Guernsey, and Croker says that winning the league is no longer an impossible dream.

“We are absolutely back in the title race,” he said. “If results do not go our way we could do that and end up third but if we get a bit of luck with other results we could still win the league.

“It is very tight and at the end of the day all we can do is win all of our games. We have worked hard to force our way back into contention but we need to continue that and get the results we need.

“The Old Elthamians and Guernsey games are still paramount but we have three winnable games before that. We just need to get back to ticking games off one week at a time and make sure we don’t take our eye off the ball.”

Basingstoke’s next game is a trip to Sidcup on Saturday (kick-off 3pm), when they will be looking to inflict more misery on a side that has slipped out of promotion contention after a run of four successive defeats.

However, they ended that run with a 27-13 victory over bottom side Sutton and Epsom last week and have won eight of their nine home games so far this season.

Croker said: “Sidcup are having a sticky patch but at home they are going to be very competitive. We just need to go there, apply ourselves and not get caught up in their game.”

Sidcup won 22-21 when the sides met at Down Grange in the autumn, taking advantage of a second half collapse from ’Stoke, who led 21-7 at the break.

“The second half was our worst half of rugby all year, while the first half was one of our best,” Croker said. “It was a massive swing but ball and tempo were the difference.

“In the first half we controlled the ball, kicked tactically and retained possession well. In the second half we gave it away too easily, allowing them to slow the play down and knock us out of our rhythm.

“If we make sure we control the ball and the tempo of the game on Saturday, we should get the result.”

Croker has no new injuries to contend with, while centre Callum Staff is back in contention after missing several weeks playing for Hampshire under-20s and Matt Guilfoyle is on the road to recovery following a hip problem.