Croker is happy to win ugly (From Basingstoke Gazette)

'Stoke coach satisfied with battling victory over Dover

1:00pm Monday 30th January 2012 in Rugby By Martyn Humberstone

BASINGSTOKE RFC head coach James Croker was pleased to see his side keep their winning run going with an “ugly” 21-14 victory over Dover at Down Grange on Saturday.

’Stoke missed out on a four-try bonus point, meaning that they now trail second-placed Guernsey by three points, but recording a fifth win in a row was the main thing as they look ahead to a trip to leaders Chichester next week.

Croker said: “That was what you call an ugly win but more importantly it was a win which keeps our momentum going.

“To be fair, Dover put us under pressure at times and credit to the way they played.

“We were never allowed to settle into our stride and as a result we never got our patterns of play working.

“We will watch the DVD and that will confirm the areas we need to work on during training before next week’s game away at Chichester.”

An early penalty and hooker Lloyd Staszkiewcz’s 20th minute try saw Basingstoke lead 8-0.

But Dover hit back with a converted try to trail by just one point at half-time.

Andrew Humberstone kicked two more penalties to put his side 14-7 ahead but again Dover fought back, with another converted score levelling the game 15 minutes from time.

’Stoke had to wait until five minutes from time to make the crucial breakthrough, the league’s leading scorer Gareth Kelly jinking in from the 22 to touch down and win the game for his side.

See The Monday Gazette for a full report and more pictures from the game.