Stoke began this years league campaign with an unconvincing win against Bracknell. Having led 15-0 at half time through tries from Dave Lambert and Simon Appleby plus a conversion and penalty by Ollie Rogers. The second half we expected a Stoke try feast but it was not to be and Stoke only managed a further penalty by Ollie Rogers. The last few minutes of the game Basingstoke managed to make tense watching as missed tackles allowed the visitors to run in 2 tries converting one

Basingstoke 18 - 12 Bracknell

Team: O. Rogers, D. Lambert, S. Buckland, M. Lucas, G. Jones, M. Rutherford (G. Murdoch), D. Lillywhite, N. Young (S. Lovegrove), A. Rowlands, S. Murphy, R. Stirling, A. Hopkins, T. Northcote (J. Dixon), S. Appleby, Caan. Childs.