BASINGSTOKE RFC chairman of playing Steve Parker is now building for the future as his side look set to be relegated from London One South.

The odds were always heavily stacked against Parker when he took over the coaching job.

’Stoke had been hit with 15-point penalty after fielding an unregistered player under a false name and on top of this, most of the first team then left.

Their problems were clearly demonstrated on Saturday, when they faced local rivals Havant, who they beat in the final game of last season to lift the Hampshire Cup.

Only one ’Stoke player remained from the starting 15 on that day, captain Guy Wilkinson, when the teams met last Saturday.

Parker said: “We have a young side of second and third team players now. They put their bodies on the line for us every game and I cannot ask for more.

“We are up against sides with a lot more experience that are used to playing at this level every game.”

He added: “We will be competitive next year in a lower league and it is matter of using the last four games of this season to build towards next season.

“We are moulding a new team and it will take time for partner-ships to be built, but everyone is working hard and we had a good training session on Tuesday.”

Basingstoke have no game this weekend and return to London One South action a week on Saturday, with a trip to fellow strugglers Twickenham.