Duo can help 'Stoke go the Diss-tance (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Duo can help 'Stoke go the Diss-tance

1:00pm Friday 5th March 2010 in

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JIM Kelly is hoping that key players Simon Appleby and Glen Lewis will be fit to face Diss as Basingstoke RFC look to extend their winning home run to six games.

The ’Stoke head coach has seen his side win three of their last four games in National Three London and is hoping that their good form will continue on Saturday, when Diss travel to Down Grange (kick-off 3pm).

However, he is sweating on the fitness of dangerous winger Lewis, who has missed the last two games with a hamstring problem, and talismanic captain Appleby, who was forced out of last week’s win over Havant due to a chest injury.

“I am hoping that both of them will be back and all of the signs are good so we will see,” Kelly said. “They are two big players though and I hope that they will be back with us.”

Kelly will definitely be without hooker Jamie Folan (back), while stylish centre Simon Buckland remains sidelined due to a troublesome shoulder injury.

One plus is the return of former New Zealand flanker Sam Harding, who made a big impression and scored a try after coming on for Appleby on Saturday. He could be handed a starting berth at No 8, while Kelly has a decision to make at fly-half, where Paul Morris could return in place of Luke Flower.

Basingstoke lie fifth in the league table and will be favourites to beat lowly Diss, who are 10th and have lost five of their last six.

However, it was a close encounter when the sides met in Norfolk, with ’Stoke just edging the game 35-30. Diss’ away record is poor though, they have won just once on their travels all season, and Kelly is looking for a more emphatic result this time around.

“Diss are a very forward-orientated side and we were annoyed about the way we performed up there because all of their tries came from powerplays and their pack,” he said. “We have got to more aggressive at the breakdown on Saturday.

“If we can defend well and get some scores early there is a good chance we can put the game to bed. The bonus point would be handy but to get that we need to put in a performance as well. In an ideal world, we would get it, but I would be happy with a win.”