BASINGSTOKE'S disappointing season took another turn for the worse when they lost the Hampshire Cup to Andover.

After winning the trophy for the past five seasons, and 10 times in 14 years, 'Stoke have grown accustomed to county cup success. But a poor display at the Goodship Ground saw them surrender their title and dominant record in the competition.

Andover deserved their 9-5 victory last Sunday afternoon. The platform for their success was an impressive pack who didn't shirk their responsibilities and took the game to their national league visitors.

Andover captain Marc Whiting excelled in the lineout, although it was ultimately the boot of Keith Mitchell who kicked Andover to glory, with three penalties.

Andover were praised by Hampshire RFU president John Sneezum for breaking Bas-ingstoke's hold on the cup.

Ian Calder, Basingstoke director of rugby and player-coach said: "No complaints. They deserved it. We didn't show up on the day and the better team won. It's disappointing because we wanted to win the cup. Now I know how England felt after losing to France."

Basingstoke chairman Dr Steve Tristram said: "I'm not really someone who can analyse the game from the sidelines, or pick out the problems, but we played poorly.

"Andover were worthy winners. It's a very disappointing day for the club, especially coming so soon after relegation from division three south."

Many free-scoring predictions were made by 'Stoke supporters beforehand but the expected whitewash never materialised.

Afterwards, dissenters voiced the opinion that Calder's decision to drop Murray Roeske and himself move from fly-half to centre cost 'Stoke the match.

Calder said: "Hindsight is a great thing. Before the game, people agreed with what I had done - and even some of the players did.

"But our forwards didn't play well at all and when they aren't winning the ball, the backs cannot be blamed.

"I felt that if we had scored in the first half when we were putting the pressure on, we'd have gone on to win it. I don't think Andover will have played as well if they were chasing the game."

Calder's decision to try out a new centre pairing has rebounded on him because Matt Lucas is unavailable for tomorrow's visit to Down Grange by Barking.

Calder switches back to fly-half with Robbie Northcote pairing up with Simon Buckland in the centre.

Basingstoke: N Barton; R Holmes, S Buckland, R Northcote, Y Cullum; I Calder, T Vincent; N Young, M Evans, S Hobden, R Stirling, K Chapman (capt), J Dixon, S Appleby, S St Bernard. Reps: Carl White, C Hampson, A Wilson, S Buttle.