8:40am Friday 3rd April 2009
By John Boyman
CHRIS Cook says that his players are feeling the pressure as Basingstoke RFC hone in on the London two south title.
‘Stoke are two points clear at the top of the table and will claim the title if they win their two remaining fixtures but Cook, the club’s chairman of playing, admits that the players are showing signs of nerves as they approach the winning line.
“It is very exciting but the boys know they are not there yet and our job as coaches is to lighten the mood,” he said. “We just think that over the last few weeks, the boys have been feeling the pressure and it’s all about focus.
“We have got to step up and put in two performances that highlights where we are. If we do that, we will be champions and that would be a fantastic achievement.”
Basingstoke’s two remaining games are against sides in the bottom three, beginning on Saturday, when they travel to bottom-of-the-table Maidstone (kick-off 3pm).
While ’Stoke have won 11 of their last 12 league games, the Kent side have lost their last five, including a 71-10 defeat at Dorking last week.
However, they gave Basingstoke a run for their money when they visited Down Grange in December, the home side sweating out a 15-3 victory.
“They made it hard for us at our place,” Cook added. “It was one of the lowest scoring games at Down Grange.
“We know that they have made changes in personnel since then and they have only won two games all season so ultimately it should be a banker. We are not over-confident but we know that if we play to our potential, it should not be a close game.
“We have got the talent to go and do a job on them. Dorking did that last week at home and while I am not expecting 70 points, I would like a victory.”
If Dorking fail to claim victory at Thanet, a win in Kent would give ‘Stoke the title with a game to spare, while they will secure a play-off berth as long as they avoid defeat.
Cook expects to welcome back winger Tom Gray, who missed last weekend’s win over Gravesend, but Neil Barton is unavailable and there is a doubt over the fitness of Ross Stirling, who is struggling with a hamstring problem. ’Stoke were not at their fluent best last weekend, having a poor patch in the middle of the match that saw them go from 11-0 up to 12-11 behind. They fought back to win 21-12 and while he was not happy with the way his side played, Cook was satisfied with the outcome. “It was not a great performance but it’s two points and we move on,” he said.
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