Barking 11pts Basingstoke 39

BASINGSTOKE'S excellent December came to a great conclusion with a resounding victory at Barking on Saturday that took them up to eighth in the table.

The FX-backed visitors started the national division three south game well, playing into a strong breeze, but it was Barking that had the opening chances and their reliable kicker Justin Azzopardi missed two simple chances before he put them ahead with another simple penalty after six minutes.

Basingstoke came back but Ian Calder missed a fairly straight-forward kick after 19 minutes.

Barking's driving mauls were a problem and 'Stoke found it hard to contain them but, to their credit, they continued to play the better rugby as Barking's threequarters failed to make any impression.

As the game moved nearer to half-time, Basingstoke had a great attacking move but only came away with a penalty from 30 metres out, kicked by Calder after 34 minutes.

'Stoke went to sleep and conceded a penalty for handling in a ruck, Azzopardi doubling the home score after 39 minutes for a 6-3 half-tme lead.

Basingstoke knew the game was theirs for the taking and skipper Richard Baker asked for double the effort in the second period with his side playing with the elements at their backs.

Both sides continued to give away penalties. 'Stoke were awarded two in quick succession, both converted by Calder for a 9-6 lead.

Basingstoke then allowed Barking back into the game and, from a series of driving mauls, home prop Seb Rate dived over for a try. Azzopardi missed the conversion but Barking led 11-9.

This finally galvanised Basingstoke into taking a grip of the game and Calder started to pin Barking back in their own half. The mistakes followed and indiscipline in the home ranks saw Rates sin-binned for persistent infringements.

This signalled a period of pressure from 'Stoke and two further penalties from Calder, after 56 and 63 minutes, took them into a 15-11 lead. It was an advantage they were not going to relinquish.

Barking then had their centre and captain yellow-carded for a professional foul after a great run from a lineout. Now starting to play better rugby, Basingstoke, with good ball secured by the forwards, increased their lead with the first of their four tries. From a great miss-move and pick up, Yann Cullum scooted over in the corner. Calder added the conversion.

This seemed to be the signal for Barking to lose all control and shape and 'Stoke were now rampant. Barrie Kirwan scored the first of his two tries for the visitors.

The best try came from a great chip and collect by Calder and Chris Norton was on hand to score under the posts.

Calder's conversion brought his match tally to 19 points.

The last score was Kirwan's second try and featured an endless stream of dummies to bring two welcome points Man-of-the-match was hooker Matt Evans, for a great all-round performance.

Player-coach Calder said: "It was a good, disciplined effort. Basingstoke focused on the game and the referee and as a result we got our just rewards.

"A good forward effort helped the backs score four excellent tries and takes us into the new year in good heart."

Basingstoke: C Norton; Y Cullum, B Kirwan, N Taylor (rep D Lambert 77min), J Rees; I Calder, T Dean; S Collins, M Evans, S Buttle (rep N Young 58min), N Hooker, S Drawbridge (rep R Stirling 78min), M Reeve,R Baker(capt), S St Bernard.