Basingstoke Rugby Club failed to get their 2011 campaign off to a winning start by narrowly losing out to Barnes on Saturday
The Down Grange side lost out 20-27 at home to their London opponents in the National 3 London and Southeast league.
But Junior Paramore’s men should be able to take a lot away from the closely fought match against third in the table Barnes.
The home side lost the game in the first 20 minutes and were trailing 3-17 after a spate of missed tackles let the visitors cross over three tries.
The first came before the 10-minute mark.
Barnes had a scrum 15 meters from the try line. The visitors passed the ball out to the blind side winger, who beat his man for the try, which was converted.
Ceri Cummings put ’Stoke’s first three points on the board by converting a penalty.
But Barnes won a penalty straight after and kicked to the corner for an attacking lineout.
From the lineout, the forwards were able to overpower the ’Stoke defence – driving the ball over for a second try, making it 3-12
After 20 minutes, Barnes got their third try, playing the ball out wide from a scrum and scoring in the corner.
Winger Ashley Paterson was able to score ’Stoke’s only try after collecting a chip over the defence that gave the pacer a clean run across the line.
By half time the boot of Cummings had added six more points and ’Stoke went into half time still fighting for the win.
An early penalty to Barnes after the restart put the score at 20-11, but a string of four successful penalties from Cummings brought the home side back into the game.
But they were dealt a finishing blow when halting a Barnes break Simon Appleby was sent to the sin bin.
The 14-man defence was unable to hold back the Barnes attack and six minutes from time Barnes scored their final try.
Cummings was able to convert a final penalty.
By reaching 20 points, ’Stoke were able to take away a bonus point from their loss.
On Saturday, ’Stoke take on derby rivals Bracknell away. The local rivals are one place above them in the league and the Down Grange side will be looking for the win.
Photographs courtesy of Aaron Noonan
