BASINGSTOKE RFC will look to keep the pressure on third placed Old Cranleighans this weekend as they head to lowly Bognor.

Stoke closed the gap on their Surrey rivals to three points in the London Three South West table last weekend.

This was after Old Cranleighans lost at home to Trojans, while Stoke collected maximum points with a 38-24 success over Millbrook, as they returned to winning ways.

Looking ahead to the trip to Sussex, Stoke captain Rob Northcote said: “We beat Bognor convincingly at home but it took a tough first half to grind them down.

“They’ll be looking at the past weeks results and looking forward to playing us at theirs, especially if the pitches are heavy and slow it’ll play into their forward dominated game plan.”

Last Saturday, Stoke treated their home fans to another win in the cage at Down Grange as they beat visiting Millbrook 38-24.

Basingstoke dominated the first 40 minutes of the contest against their Hampshire rivals, as by the break they had the bonus point try in the bag.

Jonty Newman opened the scoring after two minutes, which was converted by Dave Byett and then Matt Guilfoyle scored to make it 12-0.

A brace of tries from Dave Lambert, with both extras added by Byett moved the score to 26 without reply.

The visitors then opened their account in the final minute of the first half with a converted try, but at the break Stoke led 26-7.

The second half started well for the home side as Warren Simmons scored after just two minutes.

The visitors then found their feet and hit back with a brace of tries to cut the lead to 14 points.

Stoke stopped the rot as Lambert's hat-trick try, which was converted by Byett, made it 38-17.

Millbrook went over for the last score in the game to complete the scoreline.