BASINGSTOKE RFC led 22-20 against Charlton Park after 50 minutes, only to then concede five unanswered tries on their way to another London One South defeat at Down Grange.

The home side gave a debut to new hooker Aaron Palmer and started brightly.

Their early pressure told and Lawrence Elliot kicked them into the lead with a penalty from the five metre line.

Charlton Park replied with their own penalty, as Alan Knuckey’s effort sailed through the posts from 17 metres out.

’Stoke wasted no time as they re-took the lead after a kick from Elliot was gathered by Ben Stewart and he went over for a try. Elliot kicked the conversion for a 10-3 lead.

The visitors replied with their own try from Tom Coad as a couple of broken tackles allowed him in by the touchline and the game was tied again after Knuckey kicked the extras.

Charlton Park then took the lead as they made the most of a knock-on and from a five metre scrum a driving maul saw Rob Saunderson score. The conversion was missed, but the London side led 15-10.

The home side stormed back as after good running from the impressive winger Rilwan Lawal and then Kyle Doel they were stopped at the five metre line.

From here ’Stoke won a line-out and the ball was fed along the line with David Byett going over for a try and Elliot added the extras.

The last action before half-time saw the visitors retake the lead as Reion Raybe was able to go in at the corner, but once again Knuckey missed the conversion to make the score 20-17.

After the break, ’Stoke moved back into the lead after Stewart’s strong break into the Charlton Park 22 was stopped, but the ball was moved out to the backs and Jobi Kochanowski fed Matt Woodhouse to score in the corner. From a difficult position Elliot was unable to add the extras, but the home took the lead 22-20.

After this the visitors took control of the game and from a rolling scrum Saunderson put the ball down by the posts and Knuckey converted.

Two minutes later, the London side scored again when they were awarded a penalty after a couple of five metre scrums in which the home side were penalised, as they found it hard to contain the Charlton Park pack.

The visitors lively winger Raybe was the next to score after 66 minutes, with a great solo try as he dances down the touchline, doing well to dodge three tackles. Knuckey added the extras again.

Two minutes later, Charlton Park broke the game line again from Neil Collins and another Knuckey conversion took the score to 48-22.

The home side try to hit back and Charlie Eaves went close to getting the bonus point try, but he was held up just short of the try line.

The visitors then completed their 53-22 victory as Sam Baker scored in the corner and Knuckey was unable to add the conversion.

Basingstoke will take plenty of positives from this game ahead of a must win showdown at basement rivals Hove on Saturday.