Croker wants 'Stoke to be more clinical (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Croker wants 'Stoke to be more clinical

1:00pm Monday 8th October 2012 in Rugby By Martyn Humberstone

Karl Buttle put Basingstoke ahead in the first minute.

BASINGSTOKE RFC made it four wins out of five in London One South with a comfortable 39-13 victory over Hampshire rivals Havant – but director of rugby James Croker wants them to be more clinical.

Two tries from exciting fly-half Adam Davies and further scores from Karl Buttle, Ash Paterson and Matt Horne earned ’Stoke a third Hampshire derby victory of the season on Saturday, writes Martyn Humberstone.

They led in the first minute and were always ahead – but there were sticky moments, especially in the first half. The second period saw visiting Basingstoke take charge – but they failed to take opportunities before scoring two tries in the last 10 minutes.

Croker said: “It was a superb second half display and, had we taken our chances and been more clinical, we could have had a bigger winning margin. We need to be able to present the ball better if we are to profit from scoring chances.

"However, the important thing is another bonus point win on our travels. We knew Havant would be difficult to break down but once we did that, it was a good performance.”

The result moves Basingstoke up to fourth in the table, nine points behind leaders East Grinstead and Chichester, who have both taken maximum points from six games.

See The Monday Gazette for a full report from ’Stoke’s trip to Havant.