Basingstoke aiming to secure the title in style (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Basingstoke aiming to secure the title in style

1:00pm Thursday 16th April 2009

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BASINGSTOKE RFC are just 80 minutes away from securing a league and cup double.

Having already claimed the Hampshire Cup, ’Stoke will be crowned London two south champions if they avoid defeat at home to Thanet Wanderers on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

A big crowd is expected at Down Grange and chairman of playing Chris Cook wants his side to claim the title in style.

“If the boys perform on the day, we should be out of sight by half-time and then we can show the crowd what we are capable of,” he said. “I am looking for a performance on Saturday and it should be a celebration of the style of play we have put in all year.”

While Basingstoke sit proudly at the top of the table, having won 12 of their last 13 league games, Thanet are third from bottom and have lost their last three, including a 68-15 defeat at home to Dorking last time out.

’Stoke won 44-0 when the sides met in Kent back in November. While Cook is confident that his side will secure the result they need, he is not taking Thanet lightly.

“I am confident that the boys will deliver and if they do that, the result will not be in doubt,” he said. “Thanet will be looking to salvage some pride so we will not be taking them lightly and will be looking to raise our game from the off. We want to perform from the first whistle and get the result we need to be champions.”

’Stoke will be without centre Tim Richards, who is away this weekend. The obvious replacement would be Mike Goodall but he suffered a leg injury during the 61-8 win at Maidstone two weeks ago.

His condition is being monitored but Cook is hoping that the versatile back will be fit to take his place in the team, while Ross Stirling is expected to return at No 8 following a hamstring problem.

Cook admitted that nerves have affected his players as they have got closer to the winning line, but they have continued to pick up victories.

However, they will be only too aware that defeat this weekend would probably hand the title to Dorking, who are just two points behind with a superior points difference tally.

“We are going into the final game with it all in our hands, which is the ideal position to be in,” Cook said. “To say that Saturday should be just another routine game would be wrong, but the boys have just got to go out and do the job they have been doing week in, week out throughout the season.

“We have had a week off and that will have given the boys time to think about it so I am sure they will be pumped.”

While it might have been better for the nerves of everyone involved if Basingstoke had wrapped up the title before now, the fact that they haven’t means that Saturday’s game could provide a magnificent climax to the season, something that is not lost on Cook.

“We always said that it would go to the wire and knew that the results would build to this moment,” he said. “We could not wish for a better way to finish. The boys are confident of doing it and, at home, it should be a great occasion for them.

“It’s a big day for the club and we are expecting huge support. Our performances at home this year have been good and it could be a great way for the club and supporters to share the moment.”

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