Croker is not down after last-gasp loss (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Croker is not down after last-gasp loss

8:00am Friday 10th February 2012 in Rugby By Graham Merry

BASINGSTOKE RFC head coach James Croker took a lot of positives from his side’s heartbreaking one point defeat at London One South leaders Chichester last Saturday.

Croker saw his side lose 15-14 as the Sussex side kicked a late penalty – this after Matt Horne and Jamie Fish had both scored tries for the visitors.

Croker said: “We had a lot of play in the game and there was good defensive effort. Of course, there is few things that we need to work on before our next game.”

The head coach was hoping his side could get back to winning ways this weekend when they were due to face Tottonians in the Hampshire Cup semi-final.

However, due to last week’s postponement because of to the freezing conditions, Tottonians will now face Effingham and Leatherhead in a London Two South West clash.

This means the semi-final has been put back to Saturday, March 17, as February 25 was ruled out on the request of the Hampshire Referees Society because they were already fully stretched.

The other semi-final game between holders Gosport and Fareham and Havant, will also now be on March 17 as both sides have re-arranged league games from last Saturday.

’Stoke will be back in action a week on Saturday when they will entertain bottom side Sutton and Epsom. This will give any players that are carrying knocks an extra week to recover as the side push for a play-off spot as the title now looks beyond them after the defeat to leaders last weekend.

Croker said: “We definitely want to return to winning ways as soon as possible and it disappointing we are not playing this week.”

The head coach will therefore take the chance to watch the second team, the Dragons in action as they face Trojans II at Down Grange.

So far this season, of the 44 players to play for the first team, only six have not played for the second, showing that is lot of movement between the teams.

Croker said: “I get to see all the players at training, but I am looking forward to being in the dressing room.

“I think it is important to watch all the players so they feel they can force their way into the first team as competition for places is very important.”