BASINGSTOKE RFC Griffins enjoyed a rare victory on the Isle of Wight as they won 10-7 against Isle of Wight II.

The Griffins started brightly, but it was the hosts who scored first to lead 7-0 after 20 minutes.

However, the Griffins took the game back to the hosts, playing phase after phase as they pushed the Islanders back.

After the break, Basingstoke dominated possession, particularly in the scrum, where the front three of Alan Crisford, Daniel Lewis and Andy Boulden were causing all sorts of problems for the home side.

Lewis was winning ball against the head at will, and it was from the scrum that ’Stoke finally scored, from No 8 Martyn Bagshaw, after the Wight pack was driven back by the power of the Basingstoke forwards.

Aussie Peter Garlando slotted the conversion to level things with 20 minutes left to play.

The home side had a large bench and used this to their advantage, bringing on fresh legs, but the ’Stoke defence, well marshalled by Steve Briggs, James Hickman and skipper Brent Evans, held firm.

The visitors won the match thanks to Garlando’s 30 metre penalty, which he smashed between the posts.

Back at Down Grange, the fifth team were in action against unbeaten league leaders Ryde.

In what was an extremely tight and well-contested game, it was Basingstoke who scored first, Tani Tala going over for a debut try.

Kurtis Eagle converted to put the hosts in front, much to the delight of the supporters watching in the cage.

The rest of the first half saw both sides cancel each other out.

Basingstoke began the second half the better and Eagle added a great penalty and a try, which took the score to 15-0.

Basingstoke pressed for the rest of the half, superbly led by skipper and man-of-the-match Joe Smith, as Ryde were unable to make it seven wins on the trot.

The Cavaliers are at home to Petersfield II this Saturday, while the Griffins are away at Ports-mouth IV and the fifths travel to Nomads II.