HEROIC – that was the word Basingstoke RFC head coach Gareth Lewis used to describe his team’s performance in his first game in charge.

Lewis, who has taken over at the helm from sacked coach Will Croker, was delighted after watching his side chalk up a thrilling 16-15 victory at London One South relegation rivals Cobham.

The win secured ’Stoke’s first league double of the season and they now go in search of another on Saturday, when high-flying Chobham are the visitors to Down Grange.

Victory would almost certainly see ’Stoke climb out of the relegation zone as they are only two points behind 11th-placed Gosport and Fareham.

Talking about last Saturday’s away win, Lewis said: “There has been a lot adversity around the club, and this was an heroic victory, which is just what the whole club needed.

“There was a great spirit amongst the players. They played for themselves and each other, and I could not have asked for more.”

The victory at Cobham came with the Basingstoke squad reduced to just 15 players after Matt Horne was injured in the warm-up.

This week, the side will be boosted by the return of Ryan Davis, Dave Byett and Ben Stewart, and they will be hoping for a good turnout of fans for the first home game of 2015.

’Stoke will be keen to build on last weekend’s win when Chobham visit Down Grange and will take heart from the fact they won the reverse fixture 37-36 back in September.

Basingstoke came back from 17-13 down to win that game, with Gavin Hart scoring the winning try – his first for the club.

However, the Surrey side arrive at Down Grange having won their last five games. This run includes an impressive 23-20 win over visiting Sutton and Epsom that moved them up to third place in the London One South table.

Basingstoke’s ranks will be bolstered this weekend as they welcome Dave Byett, Ryan Davis and Ben Stewart back to the squad.

At Cobham, new head coach Gareth Lewis had to shuffle his side, with prop Steve Osborne playing in the second row, scrum-half Ben Hawkins playing at full-back and Hart playing at No 8.

However, they still won and Lewis said: “We had players playing out of position, but it was a great performance and I could not have asked for more.”

Basingstoke had a rare off day in their last home game against Guildford, but in their previous game at Down Grange they ran leaders Wimbledon very close, losing by just three points.

Looking ahead to the Chobham game Lewis said: “There is a fantastic morale around the team, and the victory over Cobham will only give us confidence going into the game.

“They are going well at the moment, but we did beat them earlier in the season and I hope we can repeat this.”