Jubilation turned to heartbreak after Basingstoke RFC celebrated their third win on the trot, only to learn that results elsewhere meant their relegation woes would continue.
Following last week’s 17-point victory over Havant, Junior Paramore’s men were two points shy of climbing out of the relegation zone.
But wins for fellow Nation Three London strugglers Havant and Tring, both above them in the table, meant that ’Stoke remain third from bottom and three points adrift of relegation safety.
But a well-deserved win against North Walsham on Saturday at Down Grange means the side will hope to carry their winning form into the last four fixtures.
A shaky start for Basingstoke gave the visitors an early lead 10 minutes into the game. A poor penalty kick from ’Stoke failed to find touch, giving Walsham a free run at their defence and a try that was converted.But 10 minutes later, ’Stoke hit back with their own converted try. A lineout deep in North Walsham’s half let the forwards drive forward and Mikaele Waka crossed over. Ceri Cummings added the two points.
A penalty moments later gave ’Stoke a 10-7 lead.
But just before half time, ’Stoke gave away a penalty, which Walsham converted, leaving the score 10 each after 40 minutes.
A dominant second half by ’Stoke prevented Walsham getting a single point on the board.
’Stoke took the lead after 53 minutes, with Cummings converting a penalty. On 65 minutes, the game was held up for more than an hour after a Walsham player had to be taken to hospital with a suspected neck injury.
The game was moved to another pitch and ’Stoke were able to soak up a period of intense pressure from Walsham.
A tense 15 minutes followed with no team able to break the attrition. With two minutes remaining, ’Stoke won a penalty, which Cummings successfully converted. But the visitors were not to be dismissed, and in the final moments Walsham crossed the line twice, but were held up by a desperate ’Stoke defence.
But their hard work paid off and the scores remained unchanged when the referee blew for time.
On Saturday, ’Stoke face their toughest match to date, taking on league leaders Hertford away.
