WILL Croker says that Saturday’s London One South fixture against Hampshire rivals Gosport and Fareham should be a “home banker” for his side.

Basingstoke RFC sit third in the table after claiming a thrilling 37-36 victory away at previously unbeaten Chobham last Saturday.

They have won three of their first four games, including both of their matches at Down Grange. By contrast, Gosport and Fareham have triumphed just once and suffered a 65-24 defeat at home to Sutton and Epsom on Saturday.

Having watched his side in four games and seen results coming in from around the league, Croker is predicting that the division will split into two mini-leagues as the season goes on.

“I think that it could become a two-tier league,” he said. “There will be five or six teams at the top and the rest battling near the bottom.

“Hopefully, we will be one of the sides near and, with the right preparation, we should be looking at this weekend’s game as a home banker.”

It’s a bold claim, but Croker also plans to ensure that his side do not take the opposition lightly. Gosport have a reputation for being a physical, hard-working side, and they will not allow the hosts an easy ride.

“Gosport have been without a couple of big players in their opening games,” the ’Stoke boss added. “I am expecting a real fight, but if we play at a good tempo, it should be a five-point game for us.

“With Gosport and Fareham, I always expect a really high level of commitment. They may not be as well conditioned as us, but we know that they will be physical and put us under pressure at set pieces and around the breakdown.

“If we are able to play at the same tempo we did on Saturday, hopefully we can tire them out and put some points on them in the closing stages.”

Basingstoke will be boosted by the return of prop Ollie John, second row Adam McDonald and flanker Ryan Davis, who will captain the side, while utility back Gavin Dampies is also back in the frame.

There is even better news on the horizon as skipper Freddie Gleadowe, who has been out since pre-season with a hamstring problem, could feature for the second string this weekend as he continues his rehabilitation.