BASINGSTOKE RFC will be looking to build on their excellent performance at Sutton and Epsom when they face London South One leaders Wimbledon at Down Grange on Saturday.

’Stoke pushed second-placed Sutton all the way, but eventually lost 23-19. However, they can take heart from the fact that the Surrey side beat Wimbledon 39-17 three weeks ago.

Basingstoke head coach Will Croker said: “We were disappointed to lose the game as we felt we should have scored two or three tries in the first 20 minutes. We were dominating the scrum and our lineout was working well.

“Sutton play the game like us, looking for the big carriers to take the ball and then throw it out wide. I think we ended up a bit narrow and this gave them chance to use the wings.”

He added: “Sutton’s forward unit pushed back Wimbledon when they played them, and then we did that to Sutton on Saturday, so there are a lot of positives we can take into the game this weekend.

“On the road, we have not done as well as we would have liked, but we are a good side at home and we fear no one at Down Grange.”

Leaders Wimbledon have won all their games at home, but on the road have lost at Sidcup and Sutton. On their last trip to Hampshire, they drew with Havant.

’Stoke have two home games left in December and Croker is looking for two wins to move his side out of the relegation zone ahead of Christmas.

Rudi Kochanowski will miss both games after he broke his wrist in a freak accident in training on Tuesday following a tackle. He is now set to miss the next six weeks.

Prop Oli John is also unavailable for Saturday’s game against Wimbledon. However, a big boost for ’Stoke will be the return from injury of flanker Matt Horne to their back row.

Croker said: “Matt (Horne) came through an A team game with flying colours and he was one of the players who helped us to promotion a few years ago.

“I am really looking forward to seeing him play alongside Ryan Davis. It will be great to have him back.”

'Stoke pushed Sutton and Epsom all the way last Saturday, but were unable to prevent the Surrey side winning a club record ninth game on the trot. However, the visitors can take heart from claiming the losing bonus point against a side second in the table.

In previous home games, Sutton have reeled off barnstorming performances against title contenders Wimbledon and local rivals Twickenham.

Basingstoke proved to be resolute opponents, giving the home side’s pack a challenging afternoon as they were unable to dominate proceedings as they had done in recent games.

’Stoke started brightly and were camped in the Sutton half for the first 15 minutes.

The pressure forced the home side to concede a number of penalties as they tried to defend a driving maul.

Sutton lost Joe Ridgley to a yellow card and the visitors made the advantage pay as they took the lead with a converted try from Ollie John.

With the visitors’ pack dominating, the home side reshuffled their line-up and threw Craig Bellringer into the fray.

Sutton’s first raid into the Basingstoke end saw the home side win a scrum against the head and from this the ball went along the back line and Sam Hurley was able to score in the right-hand corner.

The conversion was missed so ’Stoke still led 7-5.

Returning Sutton captain Matt Whitaker put his side ahead at the break with a drive from the base of the scrum as the hosts led 10-7.

The home side made a good start to the second-half and Steve Munford extended their lead with a penalty.

With ’Stoke captain Freddie Gleadowe consigned to the sin bin, Sutton added another try as Steve Burton prised the ball from a maul and broke away from 25 metres out to score under the posts.

Munford added the extras to make the score 20-7 with 20 minutes remaining.

However, the visitors regrouped and a driving maul saw Steve Osborne go over.

Sutton hit back with a long range penalty from Munford but ’Stoke were quick to reply with a converted try.

From there, the home side held on to win the game by a slender four points, which keeps them hot on the heels of leaders Wimbledon.

In other results around the club at the weekend, the Griffins lost 22-0 to Winchester III, while the fourths enjoyed a 29-26 success over Portsmouth.

This Saturday, The Dragons entertain Wimbledon and the Griffins face a visit from Tottonians III, while the fifth team are away at United Services II.