Old Emanuel 19-28 Basingstoke RFC

Basingstoke secured themselves a second bonus point victory in a row with victory on the road at Old Emanuel RFC.

Two tries in each half saw Basingstoke record their second victory of the season, the opener coming from Dave Lambert, who was making his 100th start. Ill-discipline by the home side and some quick hands from the backs saw Lambert into the corner to extend the Basingstoke lead after an early penalty kick was successful from fly half Joe Campbell.

'Stoke had a second try not long after as Tom Jeffery managed to evade a couple of Old Emanuel defenders, and despite a high tackle in the build-up it wasn’t enough to stop him adding to Basingstoke lead.

The hosts then hit back with a try of their own before Joe Campbell slotted another penalty to leave Basingstoke 7-16 ahead with half time on the horizon. The half ended with the home side reduced to 13 men after multiple high tackles saw the ref pull out the yellow card after numerous warnings throughout the half.

Although down to 13 men it was Old Emanuel who scored the opening try of the second half, after a knock on saw Basingstoke pushed back towards their line and the home side take advantage of the scrum to score beside the posts.

Basingstoke quickly regrouped and two further tries followed in the second half. The third try for the visitors came from John Williams, again immediately after Old Emanuel were reduced to 14 men. Conversion by Joe Campbell took the score to 21-14 in favour of Basingstoke.

They soon had the bonus point try as Stephen Ansell forced his way over the line from the back of the ruck after Basingstoke claimed their own lineout ball on the home side’s 5m line.

With the bonus point in the bag and a 14-28 lead, Basingstoke were more than worth that and looked comfortable. The only sour note of the afternoon was Alfie Rowley seeing Yellow, for a cynical foul at the breakdown and Old Emanuel soon reduced the gap further. But a missed conversion with just the restart to come meant Basingstoke had secured the victory.

Two wins on the bounce and momentum building means Basingstoke are finally off the bottom of the table with a home game to come against high flying Old Walcountians next weekend.