BASINGSTOKE RFC 15 HRFC 25
Hampshire Cup Final
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This may not have been the most thrilling of the many Hampshire Cup encounters between the two clubs, but it was one of the most hard fought, with the home club showing a gritty determination that belied their current league situation and which gave a strong Havant squad a ‘run for their money’.
Basingstoke won the first battle, which was to make the pitch playable! An army of volunteers cleared over three inches of early morning snow to ensure the referee’s mid-morning pitch inspection would be a ‘game-on’.
Thanks to their efforts the ground underfoot was good, and with the sun shining brightly and only a gentle breeze blowing down the pitch, the conditions would have been good, if it hadn’t been so cold!
‘Stoke kicked off and were the first to put a line under pressure. They won a penalty and fly-half Jules Allfrey made a good touch deep in the Hav 22. However Hav quickly recovered and were soon down the other end pressuring the home line. It took a while, but the pressure paid off when, following a tap penalty 10 metres from the line the ball was moved quickly right for hooker Tom Drewett to go over in the corner. A good kick from fly half Pucs Ngapaku made it 7-0 to Havant with 10 minutes gone.
Hav should have gone further ahead five minutes later when they broke through in the 22 and wing Richard Adams was given a clear run for the line. But for reasons best known to him, he decided to pass rather than go over. The pass wasn't completed and 'Stoke were able to recover. 'Execution of the basics' wasn't exactly Hav's forte at this point when they also managed to contrive to lose their own line out in the 22 and then miss touch from a penalty they won a few seconds later. However, on 21 minutes they did execute an effective handling movement that enabled full back Steve Stapleton to go over on the left. No conversion left it at 12-0. |
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'Stoke then had a period of superiority, helped by some good line kicking by fly half Allfrey, that kept Hav pegged back in their 22. On the half hour, Hav were reduced to 14 men when full back Steve Stapleton was yellow carded having been adjudged to have obstructed a 'Stoke player after he had chipped over his head on the 22. However 'Stoke weren't able to turn their superiority and numerical advantage into points, and after Allfrey had just failed with a penalty attempt on 37, the pendulum swung back Hav's way. A sequence of good individual drives up field from half way almost enabled wing Chris Brember to go over in the corner, but he was 'held up' and 'Stoke were able to clear. Hav continued to have the advantage into injury time and they managed to go further ahead just before the whistle when Pucs kicked a penalty for 'not binding' in a scrum just inside the 'Stoke 22, to make it 15-0 at the break.
The second half started with Hav taking a degree of control and, when a forward drive for the line was illegally stopped, Pucs stroked over another penalty to make it 18-0 on 45, and Hav starting to look 'comfortable'. This comfort was short lived when, within seconds of the restart 'Stoke reduced the arrears. Hav knocked on the restart kick mid-way in their half. Winning their scrum, 'Stoke chipped ahead left which full back Karl Buttle was able to gather at speed and put left wing Glen Lewis in at the corner. A good kick from lock Nick Cooper hit the post but stayed out leaving it at 18-5 on 46.
For a few minutes Hav were back pressing near the home line, but good defensive work kept them out. Winning a penalty near their own line 'Stoke adventurously broke out and it paid off as they first made ground up to half way before being halted, and then, a good strong break by centre Pat Pretorious took him towards the 22 from where he kicked ahead, enabling wing Glen Lewis to gather and score out left. No conversion left it at 18-10 on 55 and 'Stoke were 'back in the game'.
There then came a long period of Hav pressure near the home line, but time and time again resolute defence prevented forward drives from going over. However the pressure was eventually rewarded on 78 when centre Neil McGovern was given the ball and he forced his way over by the right hand post giving Pucs an easy kick to make it 25-10.
With the game almost over and needing three scores it wouldn't have been surprising if the 'Stoke heads had gone down. However, full credit to them, from the restart they came straight back at Hav and were soon driving for the line. The visitors defence wasn't quite so 'resolute' and centre Simon Buckland was able to make a touchdown to close the gap to 25-15 as the game moved into injury time.
Havant’s Director of Rugby Simon Morgan was pleased with the result, one which gives the club the cup for the 4th year in succession and the 16th time overall. “Today was a potential ‘banana skin’ for us where a ‘cup upset’ could have undermined the confidence we need to ensure our league survival. Despite the considerable efforts of a young Basingstoke outfit, I don’t think the result was ever in doubt, although we did make life difficult for ourselves at times.”
Hav
Steve Stapleton Chris Brember (Keith Molyneux), Richard Buck, Grant Morris (Neil McGovern), Richard Adams, Pucs Ngapaku, Liam Davenport.
Karl Randle, (Stu ingram), Tom Drewett (Andy Tart), Tom Wells (capt), Nick Whittle (Matt Morgan), Ollie North, Jon Barfoot, Steve Cruddas, Dylan Raubenheimer.
Hav scorers:
Try: Tom Drewett, Steve Stapleton, Neil McGovern Con: Pucs Ngapaku (2) Pens: Pucs (2)
'Stoke Scores:
Tries: Glen Lewis (2), Simon Buckland.