BASINGSTOKE RFC turned in a super second half performance as they scored 31 unanswered points to romp to a 43-12 victory in the London One South Hampshire derby game at Trojans.

This was after ’Stoke struggled get any pattern to their game in the first period and honours ended even at 12-12.

This was just what Basingstoke were looking for after an opening day defeat to early leaders East Grinstead.

However, Basingstoke director of rugby James Crocker had mixed feelings about his side’s performance.

He said: “There were no excuses for our first half performance. We were poor. We gave our answer with a good second half display and I am pleased we scored 31 unanswered points. “We played to our patterns better in the second period and once we scored the bonus try we were in the groove. “We played simple but abrasive rugby in the final quarter and got the outcome we deserved.”

’Stoke spent the opening 10 minutes in their own half, much of it in the 22, which saw Trojans miss an easy penalty on six minutes.

Soon after the visitors had their first foray into their opponents’ 22 with Ryan Davis just stopped short of the line.

Trojans had a five minute purple patch where they put 'Stoke under pressure with a series of penalties kicked to the corner, but resolute defending kept them out. However, the ref had enough of ’Stoke giving away penalties and yellow carded Davis on 20 minutes and Trojans scored to take a 7-0 lead soon after.

Basingstoke hit back with two tries either side of the half hour mark to lead 12-7 Their first score came on 27 minutes when a good dummy run in midfield left a gap for Gavin Dampies to exploit on half way and he outpaced the defence to score out wide. On 32 minutes following more pressure from the visitors a five metre line out saw Matt Horne score and Andrew Humberstone kicked the conversion.

Trojans levelled by the break as a poor clearance kick from ’Stoke went straight to one of the home side’s winger who showed his own pace to score from 35 metres out.

A penalty for ’Stoke on 42 minutes in front of the posts was turned down in favour of a scrum showing the intent of the visitors. Although the chance went begging ’Stoke kept up the pressure and were rewarded with a try on 50 minutes following a quick tap penalty from Horne on the 22.

Re-cycled possession gave the visitors an overlap for Steve Drawbridge to score, which was converted by Jack Parsons. A good break by David Byett resulted in a penalty in front of the posts which Parsons duly kicked over to extend the lead to 22-12 on 59 minutes.

This seemed to be the springboard for the final quarter as the visitors scored three more tries.

The first, the bonus try, came on 72 minutes when Jamie Fish nicked the ball at the base of the Trojans scum to scamper over from 10 metres and Humberstone added the extras for a 29-12 lead.

Basingstoke attacked from the re- start and Humberstone created space for a simple pass to Buttle to storm down the touchline and score in the corner from halfway, Humberstone converting from wide out.

In the final minutes another period of pressure that was rewarded with another try by Fish, again converted by Humberstone.

Next up for ’Stoke this Saturday is another derby game when they entertain Gosport and Fareham.