DAN Mairs scored a hat-trick of tries as Basingstoke Academy came back from 14-0 down after eight minutes to beat visiting Havant Academy 38-34 in Hampshire Division One.

Stoke rallied and began to gain possession of the ball, working it well through the forwards and then out wide.

Scrum half Drew Paterson drove the forwards on through seven phases of play and then delivered quick ball to fly half Joseph Campbell, the ball working through a few sets of hands for winger Mairs to crash over for the home side's first score.

Havant were very much on the back foot now and Stoke repeatedly attacked the gain line and man of the match Mairs had his second score only a few minutes later, breaking through a series of tackles and going over, Campbell slotting the extras and taking the home side within two points.

Number 8 Jon Page has been in fine form recently with a number of scores and he picked up another one, crashing over the line after some solid play from a Stoke lineout, giving the home side the lead for the first time in the game.

Havant are a very well drilled and technical side and they came back hard, some excellent running from forwards and backs pushing Stoke back and they grabbed another score followed by a penalty on the stroke of half time to lead 24-19.

Stoke were down but not out and they started the second half well, replacement Ed Pearson going over for a great score followed by the try of the afternoon A line out deep in the Stoke half was taken by lock Patrick Stranks, a couple of forwards phases saw Campbell send a long pass to Drew Paterson who found Adam Warner.

Warner executed an outrageous step before offloading to Mairs who steamed in from some 50 metres for a superb try.

Havant responded once more with another converted try and penalty, but the home side were not finished as prop Adam Richards offloaded to centre Warner who crashed through a couple of tackles and went over for the winning score.

Stoke Coach Steve Parker said: “What a game, two talented sides really going for it. I’m delighted with our comeback, the boys never gave up and importantly they stuck to the plan, looked to play our fast attacking rugby and it paid off with some superb scores.

"Daniel Mairs on the wing today was unplayable, that third try from 50 metres out was incredible. We are really proud of the boys today, they worked hard for each other and the shirt. Really looking forward now to Trojans at home on Thursday.”