Things could not get any worse for Basingstoke Rugby Club following a second massive defeat on the trot.
Last week, the Down Grange side suffered a humiliating 0-64 scoreline against Hertford.
And on Saturday, Basingstoke lost 7-87- away to Dorking.
’Stoke were only able to put out a weakened side following injuries to key players, including captain Simon Appleby, Jamie Folan and big hitting number eight, Tevita Raratabu. The 15-man squad was missing seven players from the North Walsham beating lineup of two weeks ago.
In a comedy of errors, linout calls had to be finalised minutes before the match. The backs had never trained together and the side was forced to wear Dorking’s away kit after someone forgot to add the team shirts to the bus.
By the half way mark, ’Stoke were trailing 0 – 33, with the home side scoring five tries in total.
’Stoke’s weakened side suffered two major first-half blows when Dan Rees was taken off with a head wound requiring seven stitches and scrum-half James Platt was forced off shortly after.
The second half saw the visitors score their only try. Full-back Ceri Cummings managed to beat two players from a 30m scrum to score. The conversion added two points.
However, in the second half, Dorking were able to put down six further tries against a floundering ’Stoke. In total, the visitors conceded 11 tries and at the end of the match, Junior Paramore’s men left having conceded 87 points.
’Stoke remain two points clear of the relegation zone in the National Three London and SE league.
Next Saturday, ’Stoke will hope to reverse their fortunes when they face fourth place Ampthill at home.
