Following their week off, hope was high for Basingstoke to take this game and secure a win. They started the game at pace and won a penalty on 1 minute 30 seconds which was converted by Nick Cooper. But this lead was short lived as the visitors scored a 7 pointer on 5 minutes. Stoke got back in front on 20 mins with a try to flanker Simon Appleby, converted by Nick Cooper 15-7. This score remained until half time. The second half we looked to the home side to kick on, but it was the visitors who scored first with a forwards try within 1 minute of the restart, closing the score to 15-13. Then on 53 minutes the visitors retook the lead with a converted try. Nick Cooper converted a penalty for Stoke to reduce the deficit to 18-20 and then on 71 minutes Karl Buttle scored a superb try to put Stoke back in front 23-20. Unfortunately the visitors cranked up their efforts and with Stoke missing a penalty an unconverted try on 83 minutes gave Bishops Stortford the result. Final score 23-25.

Basingstoke 23 Bishops Stortford 25

Team: Neil Young (C), Glenika Hawea (46 mins Jamie Folan), Matt Oliver, George Scott, Nick Cooper, Ross Stirling, Simon Appleby, Robbie Northcote (83 Chris Williams), Darren Lillywhite, David Jones (66 Paul Trendell), Karl Buttle, Ollie Thomas, Tim Richards, Glen Lewis, Neil Barton.