’Stoke set their sights on Hampshire Cup

10:57am Friday 4th April 2008

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BASINGSTOKE RFC's first team will be hoping to celebrate the launch of the club's diamond jubilee in style - by winning the Hampshire Cup.

'Stoke will take on National League Three outfit Havant in the final of the county cup at Down Grange on Sunday (kick-off 3pm), looking to win the competition for the first time since 2003.

'Stoke's young team have endured a tough season in London division one, culminating in them being relegated last weekend following a 47-7 defeat at the hands of Shelford.

They have won just four times in the league all season and their Hampshire Cup semi-final victory over Winchester is their only success in eight outings.

Jim Dixon, the club's director of rugby, believes that this will not have a bearing on Sunday's match and is sure his team will go into the game in the right frame of mind.

"There is no need to worry about the boys getting up for the cup final," he said.

"In many ways, it is good that we have the final this week. The guys were really disappointed on Saturday, following the team's relegation from London one, so it is great to have a game like this next up."

Havant are three-time defending champions and beat Basingstoke 27-10 in a semi-final last year - but Dixon is adamant that his side can come out on top.

"We have definitely got a chance of winning," he said. "It's a one-off game and the guys are really up for it.

"We pushed them really close last season and they only ran away from us in the last 10 minutes. We had them running scared for much of the second half, but just could not hold on."

Dixon will be without versatile forward Ross Stirling, but has hooker Jamie Folan and second row Nick Cooper available for selection again after injury.

"I almost have a full squad to pick from and have some tough decisions to make," he said. "The second team did well at the weekend and everyone wants to play."

Havant have had a tricky season in the league but have won their last two and are now safe from the threat of relegation.

Dixon is expecting the match to be something of a battle but is looking forward to it.

"I have always enjoyed coming up against Havant," he said. "They are normally very physical and intense, and I am sure they will be the same on Sunday.

"They always have some very big lads up front, with a lot of pace out wide, so we have got to deal with that onslaught and put them under pressure throughout."

Having been handed the advantage of playing the final at Down Grange, Dixon hopes to see a large crowd turn out to cheer the team on.

"I hope that home advantage will be a big factor for us," he said. "Havant have a lot of travelling support, but I hope that a lot of people from Basingstoke will come to watch as well."

Dixon will leave the club in the summer and he admits that winning the cup would be a great way to sign off.

"I would absolutely love to win," he said.

"When I announced that I would be leaving, I told the guys that I wanted to win the Hampshire Cup first."