BASINGSTOKE RFC captain Robbie Northcote is keen for his side to bounce back to winning ways after the disappointing loss in their last league outing.

Basement side Millbrook are the visitors to Down Grange on Saturday (3pm) having not won since the opening day of their London Three South West campaign.

When Stoke travelled to their Hampshire rivals earlier in the season, they returned as 45-21 winners thanks to a brace of tries from Matt Guilfoyle as well as singles from Dave Lambert, Tom Humberstone, Gareth Kelly, Simon Appleby and Jon Bird.

Northcote said: "I’m really excited about playing Millbrook at home because we played way below par against Old Tiffinians.

"We need to put in a solid performance, not just for the team but for the supporters as well, who came down to watch the last home game.

"It wasn’t our best performance and we need to be better."

Northcote added: "Another reason why we need to be better is because Millbrook, despite their league position, aren’t a bad team.

"When we played at theirs earlier in the season we took our foot off the gas and they capitalised big time and gave us a fright.

"They were very much in the game half way through the second half and we really had to dig deep.

"I think this league is very balanced and maybe with the top two slightly out of the equation I think everyone is beatable on their day."

Last Saturday, Stoke's Hampshire Bowl semi-final was postponed with the pitches at Down Grange unplayable.

It means the league visit of Trojans on March 5, will now double up as a league and cup game. The winners will meet Eastleigh in the final.