The future's bright at 'Stoke

Director of rugby Jim Dixon admitted that achieving survival in their penultimate match - the battling 17-0 win at Weston-super-Mare - was "getting a little too close to the wire," but the 29-year-old player-coach can take many positives from his third season at the helm.

His team have punched above their weight against the cash-backed resources of champions Mounts Bay, Cleve and Bracknell and coped with a horrendous injury list, while having to blood many academy youngsters much earlier than nticipated.

Yet, reflecting the coach's determination and his uncomplaining approach, the players got on with the job, putting in a huge amount of commitment and hard work to turn things around for the love of their local rugby club.

Dixon paid tribute to his unpaid amateurs, saying: "Everyone has played their part this season."

The dedication deserved to be rewarded by a victory at Weston that secured the club's league status.

While other relegation-threatened clubs bought their way out of trouble, 'Stoke struck a welcome blow for old-fashioned, amateur sporting achievement.

A look-back over the season proves that the infrastructure in place has delivered, and continues to deliver, quality home- grown talent - 15 players of the 18-man squad taken to Weston were born-and-bred Basingstoke lads.

Dixon certainly did not anticipate that statistic in September when Basingstoke started their season with an 18-12 victory over Bracknell, when hopes were high they could better last year's fourth place.

The opening month of fixtures saw two wins, two defeats, injuries, departures, and unavailability strike, to set the tone for the rest of the season as an inconsistent, new young line-up struggled to settle as a unit.

Amid the development process, there were still some great results - particularly when wing Karl Buttle's last-gasp try provided a 34-30 win over Maidenhead, and the 22-3 success over Reading Abbey.

Dixon pointed to both as being important for different reasons.

He said: "Beating Maidenhead was a defining moment.

"We played positive, composed rugby until the very last minute to win the game with a great try.

"And before Abbey, we'd lost three games in a row and it was a win we desperately needed to change momentum."

At the halfway stage in December, 'Stoke found themselves ninth in the table, with 10 points after five wins and six losses from 11 topsy-turvy games.

Dixon admitted to many frustrations.

"We're not in the position, or playing the rugby, I want us to be. There's been so many disruptions and injuries," he commented at the time.

'Stoke's 24-14 win at Reading Abbey in December opened up a six-point advantage over Bracknell, Abbey and Clevedon - a lead that ultimately proved enough come April.

That was a match where 'Stoke produced a characteristic rallying riposte to score two late scores. Heart-in-the-mouth stuff, yes, but in a young side, it is a brave trait that can be harnessed as experience is gained.

Every time it was really needed, 'Stoke stepped up their game.

Four consecutive league victories at the turn of the year - culminating in the 29-25 triumph over Mounts Bay - proved the mettle and skills of 'Stoke's young guns.

"During that spell, we won some very tough matches and showed what we are capable of when we have the right mind-set and concentration," said Dixon.

Such a huge turnaround inevitably took its toll mentally and physically, as borne out in the drubbings Maidenhead (50-8) and Cleve (69-20) handed 'Stoke either side of the 82-0 win over Clevedon.

But, knuckling down once more, another final-minute success against Chippenham took 'Stoke a step closer to safety, with Myles Rutherford's try securing a 26-25 win.

Although Bracknell won the club's vital meeting 25-3, 'Stoke regrouped to win at Weston, seal their fate and rightly celebrate.

However, it was on the Bracknell loss that Dixon delivered a telling analysis.

"Their experience showed at the right times. That's something that will come with time for our squad.

"Our youngsters have been exposed to senior rugby far earlier than I expected, but they will be far better players for it next season."

And it is for that reason he, and all 'Stoke supporters, can look forward with great optimism and pride.

Dixon will again have to rebuild in the summer, as the inevitable departures occur.

But he will be adding to a young, locally- based team of growing stature who are passionate about playing for Basingstoke RFC, who want to wear the jersey and deliver success for their club.

The future's bright. The future's blue and yellow.