Basingstoke kicked off into a strong wind in the home fixture against Wanderers the leagues bottom side, knowing a win was the only result needed.  The first half had everyone on the edge of their seats as within 5 minutes Basingstoke faced a penalty which was missed, it was 11  minutes when Thanet got on the score sheet with a converted try 0-7.  The game then ebbed and flowed as the home side worked their way into the opposition 22 only to be pushed back into their 22.  A drop out which went from one 22 to the other was an example of the conditions.  So when on 30 minutes Jim Dixon ended a concerted move with a try, converted by Mike Goodall the more circumspect fans knew that if they could hold out till half-time the result would come.  Thanet realised the same and exerted pressure on the Stoke line but could not score and so half-time came and the scores remained locked at 7-7.

With the wind, it took Basingstoke only 3 minutes to take the lead for the first time as Darren Lillywhite touched down following a strong push on the visitors line by the pack, again Mike Goodall converted 14-7.  Basingstoke now upped the pressure and on 53 minutes Tim Richards increased the lead and Mike Goodall converted 21-7.  The home side were looking good for the win when Nick Cooper had a moment of madness and interrupted a pass from the breakdown in an offside position and he spent 10 minutes in the bin.  This galvanised the home pack and they took the game to the visitors, keeping their line secure until Nick returned.  The game entered the last 5 minutes of full time and Simon Appleby scored with Mike Goodall converting to make the game safe at 28-7.  Stoke were not done however and on 81 minutes George Scott received the ball in space and backing his pace ran in to score, sidestepping the defence on route.  This again was converted by Mike Goodall and gave us the final score of:

Basingstoke 35 Thanet 7

Team: Neil Young (C), Glenike Hawea, Matt Oliver (69 Jamie Folan), George Scott, John O’Leary, Simon Appleby, Jim Dixon, Nick Cooper (77 Chris Williams), Darren Lillywhite, Neil Barton, Karl Buttle, Tim Richards, Simon Buckland, Glen Lewis, Mike Goodall, Sub not used Dave Greenaway.