BASINGSTOKE RFC’s Blue squad had a mixed weekend as the Griffins won 46-10 away at Eastleigh, while the Cavaliers lost at Ventnor 22-17.

In Eastleigh, winger Joe Newbold got proceedings under way with two quick-fire tries, the second being a fine backs move involving Shaun Fennell and Tom Tillbrook.

Flanker Ash Mhuri got in on the action by crashing over the line for his first score of the season, before the home side hit back to trail just 15-10 at half-time.

After the break the ’Stoke forwards began working together and secured a good ball for the backs to use. Man-of-the-match Newbold ran in his third and fourth tries of the game as a tiring Eastleigh struggled to contain the pace of the ’Stoke back three.

Winger Chris Pritchard was released by full back Dave Wheeler for their next score and then skipper Daniel Lewis capitalised on some great work at the breakdown from Tom Tully and Rob Uphill.

The final score came from centre Tillbrook, who ran in from 30 metres for a debut try to complete the 46-10 victory.

Coach Steve Parker said: “This was a good win for us as a lot of these guys have been unable to train much recently and as a result it took a while for our game plan to come together.

“In the first half, we were more a team of individuals, but after the break our senior players led the rest of the side brilliantly, allowing us to do what we do best.”

On the Isle of Wight, the visiting Griffins started strongly against Ventnor with Steve Lobe’s 40 metre penalty opening the scoring.

The home side hit back with a try, but ’Stoke gathered themselves, dominating in the scrum, lineout and the loose. Love went over and Sion Hughes converted. Scott Barnard then profited from some great teamwork across the forwards and backs to put another score on the board and half-time the visitors led 17-15.

’Stoke were reduced to 14 men due to injuries to Love and Hughes and Ventnor scored the only try of the final 40 minutes to win the game 22-17.

Coach Chris Hughes said: “I am delighted with that performance. If we’d just had a couple guys on the bench, I think we’d have won.

“We played some great rugby with a proper committed team performance. Hopefully we can carry this into the next game and really push on.”

Basingstoke second XV lost to their Guildford counterparts on Saturday 24-12.

This weekend, the second team are at home at Chobham and the V team are at home to Fareham Heathens II, while the Griffins are away to Fawley II.