Bassett claim bragging rights (From Swindon Advertiser)

Bassett claim bragging rights

6:00am Wednesday 10th October 2012 in Sport

WOOTTON Bassett outclassed bottom of the table Supermarine 31-6 in Southern Counties South to record their second win of the season.

Bassett were camped in the home half from the off and with his first kickable chance, number eight David Hogg was unable to register with the boot.

The visitors made the breakthrough when fly-half Jon Clarke saw space out wide and the ball was moved to wing Hamish Keith, who finished well in the corner. No extras were added.

A Marine penalty brought in the advantage, only for Hogg to spin out of two tackles and touch down, with a simple conversion providing the extras.

Marine added another three points before the break, but they were hamstrung by a bin at the start of the second period.

Bassett kicked a penalty to the corner and the subsequent driving maul resulted in flanker Dan Shoebridge emerging to touchdown. The conversion was sent over by Hogg.

The bonus point was ensured when young centre Tucker Blinkhorn beat defenders and barged his way over to earn the bonus point.

Despite a yellow card for Hogg, Bassett weren’t finished and flanker Ollie Maher showed a good turn of power and pace to finish with a defender hanging on.

Bassett coach Alex Norcross said afterwards: “The players understood the importance of winning and what games like this mean to the club, especially given that it was a derby game away from home.

“The younger players in the club that were given an opportunity, the likes of Josh Jefferies, Tucker Blinkhorn and Hamish Keith, all played a very important role with stand-out performances by all three.”

Swindon were beaten 26-13 by Salisbury in South West 1 East following a magnificent solo display by Tom Pottage.

Salisbury took an early lead through the boot of Pottage, before Swindon levelled through a penalty from Adam Westall.

Pottage added a three more penalties but Westall was off-target with two attempts as the hosts took a 12-3 lead into half time.

A clash of heads between Gordon Grant and Luke Esnouf caused a delay in play, before Pottage and Westall converted a penalty each.

When Pottage kicked ahead and was pulled back, the same man slotted the kick home to make it 18-6.

Pottage dived under the posts before somehow scuffing the conversion wide, only for Gary Williamson to touch down in the corner with Westall converting. The final points of the match were added by Pottage from the kicking tee.