BASINGSTOKE Griffins maintained top spot in the Hampshire Merit South West table, beating visiting Millbrook II 24-10 to extend their winning run to eight games.

Millbrook travelled to Down Grange looking to upset the apple cart and they led 10-0 at half-time.

’Stoke started well and were camped in the visitors’ half for the first quarter, but a mistake by the home side led to Millbrook scoring the first try of the match.

’Stoke tried to hit back, but a penalty from the visitors extended the lead.

The home side then took the fight to Millbrook, as forwards Josh Pimm and Jamie Lee broke through their defence to gain ground all the time, while the back line used the ball well, with skipper Dan Williams calling the set pieces.

The home side missed out on a try towards the end of the first half after a double movement from hooker Matt Martin.

The second half started with Basingstoke fired up by the skipper’s half-time chat. Hooker Martin and winger Neil Warner made way for Tom Barnes and Scott Barr.

’Stoke were rewarded with an early try from skipper Williams, who also kicked the conversion.

A second try by full-back Dave Wheeler took the home side into the lead.

With more great runs from the back line, holes started to appear in the Millbrook defence.

Another try from Williams came after a kick through off his right boot, with the skipper converting himself to extend the lead to 19-10.

Basingstoke’s made a couple of changes as Alan Sturgess and David Wright replaced Ash Mhuri and Trev Swain.

It was left to Kyle Mason to score the final try as the home side enjoyed a 24-10 victory.

The leaders are at home again this week when they face Winchester Vets.

The Cavaliers hosted Chineham II with a team made up of some regular players and some that were returning from time away from the game through injury or work commitments. These included Karl Rand, Andrew Birch, Kevin Simpson and Vernon Jones.

Simpson scored for the home team in the first half but Chineham led 10-5 at the break.

After the interval, Pete Garlando levelled things with a try, but Chineham crossed the line again for a converted score to win the game 17-10.

They are at home again this week, when the Isle of Wight II visit. Meanwhile, the fifth team travel to the island to face Ryde.