BASINGSTOKE RFC’s winning run continued as they turned in a Hallowe’en treat for their home fans against basement side Bognor at Down Grange.

Stoke made a hat-trick of wins on the trot, with a 59-5 success over their Sussex rivals in London Three South West, which moved them up to fourth in the table.

The home side took just five minutes to take the lead, as Simon Appleby and Jon Bird combined for James Ephraim to score under the posts and Tom Humberstone converted.

The home side so nearly doubled their advantage a couple of minutes later, after a great run from Gareth Cripps-Jones, but his pass to Matt Guilfoyle was ruled as forward.

On 16 minutes, Stoke added a second try as Appleby ran in from the scrum and with no conversion.

Just before half-time, the visitors gave themselves a lifeline with a try from a line-out, to make the score 12-5 at the break.

Just two minutes after the interval, the home side extended their lead, as a great line break from Humberstone saw him touchdown under the posts and he converted his own try.

Stoke were now dominating the game and Russell Northcote was the next to score and Humberstone added the extras for a 26-5 lead.

Just after the hour mark, Appleby and Bird once again combined and this time Dave Lambert scored and Humberstone converted.

On 68 minutes, Jack Rushworth started an attack which ended up with Cripps-Jones going over for his first try of the season. Humberstone’s boot made the conversion for a 40-5 advantage.

Just three minutes later and Cripps-Jones scored his second try of the game, as did Appleby from a driving maul, as the tries came thick and fast.

Then in the final minute, a quick tap penalty allowed Lambert, one last run under the posts. Humberstone with the final conversion completed the 59-5 victory.

Next weekend, Stoke are on their travels for a Hampshire derby with the Trojans.

Their next home game is in the Hampshire Bowl against Romsey on November 12.