Croker wants derby bonus (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Croker wants derby bonus

8:00am Friday 13th January 2012 in Rugby By Graham Merry

BASINGSTOKE RFC head coach James Croker is looking for his side to collect another bonus point win when they take on visiting Hampshire rivals Portsmouth.

’Stoke opened 2012 with a comfortable 36-18 success at Beckenham and Croker is looking for the same again against Pompey at Down Grange this weekend.

The victory moved Basingstoke to just two points behind second-placed Guernsey and, with the Channel Islanders playing fifth in the table Sidcup this weekend, it gives ’Stoke an ideal opportunity to close the gap further.

Croker said: “It was great to get 2012 off to a winning start and it is never easy to win at Beckenham. We still have some areas to work on in training, but once again a bonus point win is our target this weekend. “January is a very important month for us and we have get as many points as possible.”

The only minus from last Saturday’s victory was that try scorer Matt Horne pulled a leg muscle and is a doubt for this weekend’s Hampshire derby.

However, Ceri Cummings, Matt Guilfoyle and Neil Postthumus are all in contention for places, which Croker is pleased about.

He said: “I want there to be a selection debate and for places to be competitive, as it can only be a good thing for the side.”

One player sure to be in the starting line-up on Saturday is hat-trick try scorer against Beckenham Chris May-Miller.

Croker added: “He had an amazing week, being accepted into Cambridge University and celebrating his 18th birthday as well. He is a very talented individual and it shows we are bringing home grown players into the team, which is something we will continue to do.”

Basingstoke will start as favourites on Saturday, even though Portsmouth have won four of their last six, as ’Stoke won the reverse away fixture 28-3, with Gareth Kelly scoring a brace of tries after Freddie Gleadowe was first to go over.