BASINGSTOKE RFC will hope to continue their fine London One South home form when lowly Hove are the visitors to Down Grange on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

’Stoke have lost just once in four outings on home soil and that was against league leaders Sidcup, who they matched for the first 40 minutes.

However, ’Stoke have suffered a mini slump in recent weeks, with three straight losses, the latest being away at Charlton Park last Saturday.

That game saw the visitors play most of the game with 14 men due to injury, while a yellow card had them down to 13 at one stage.

They were also forced not to contest scrums.

One positive was that ’Stoke led early on when they had 15 players on the pitch.

Head coach Will Croker said: “It was a frustrating day, and we were very much up against it.”

For the visit of Hove, Oli John, Adam MacDonald and Matt Guilfoyle return, while ’Stoke have signed RAF second row Chris Byrne.

On the minus side, the club have lost two of their wingers – Gavin Dampies and Tim Richards.

Dampies has signed for Reading-based National League side Redingensians, while Richards has taken up a new job.

Croker said: “It is a big blow for us losing both these players. Gavin has been offered money to play and turned it down the first time, but they came back in for him. Living in Reading, this time he decided to join them.

“Tim is taking a break from the game as he has a new job, so there is opportunity for other players to come in and stake a claim for a place in the team.”

Looking ahead to the Hove game, Croker said: “They are struggling at the moment and we want to get back to winning ways. This is even more important as we have a break next week. So it would good to go into the break with a victory.”