BASINGSTOKE RFC’s fifth team produced a superb second-half comeback as they turned a 21-0 deficit into a 40-26 victory at Fawley.

A sense of complacency and individual errors were addressed with a stern half-time team talk from coaches Trevor Coxon and Steve Love.

Brent Evans took up the challenge with a hat-trick of tries, Sean Pritchard scored two and flanker James Hickman ran in the other. Fly-half Simon Jones was in good form with the boot.

After the game, coach Steve Love said: “The first half was painful to watch. We gave Fawley too much respect and possession.

“In the second half, we pulled together and began playing our own game. This win showed the character and nature of the squad.

“I’d like to mention Tom Tully, who was man-of-the-match today.

“He drove the forwards on, particularly in the second half. I don’t think he missed a breakdown all day and he put in some huge hits.”

Basingstoke’s other Blue Squad side, the third team Griffins, also enjoyed victory as they beat visiting Fareham Heathens IIs 51-5 – gaining revenge for two defeats last season.

The home side got off to a poor start as Fareham took the lead.

The boys in gold and blue duly took this as a wake-up call and with a tactical switch involving Joe Newbold swapping scrum-half duties with Peter Garlando, the next 70 minutes of rugby was almost all one-way traffic.

Centre Cam Ralph scored the first try, quickly followed up by Joe Newbold and Garlando to make it 21-5 at half-time.

Basingstoke found another gear after the break, the superb backline making excellent use of the platform provided by the forwards as Ralph and Garlando grabbed their hat-tricks.

Newbold picked up his sixth score in two games and No 8 Dave Wright crashed over for his first try as the game ended 51-5.

Coach Steve Parker said: “This was one of the best performances I’ve seen in the three seasons I’ve been coaching here.

“Our forwards were magnificent, be it at the breakdown, scrum, lineout or in defence – they were tireless in getting good ball for our backs.

“Joe Newbold was outstanding, even though he has never played at nine before.”

Parker added: “I’d like to pay a special mention to Peter Garlando. He picked up a hat-trick today, despite having to cope with the death of his mother this morning. Our thoughts are with Peter and his family.”

This weekend, the Cavaliers are at home to Overton II, but the Griffins are away at Southampton II and the fifths travel to Gosport and Fareham III.