It will be a long hard season for Clevedon, a town side playing against city sides. A poor kick off by Clevedon put them under immediate pressure. They soon went behind to a penalty goal. Good lineout possession got them back into the game and they had a few opportunities to take the lead but the final execution was not good enough.

Basingstoke increased their lead with a penalty and Dan Hawkes got Clevedon on the scoreboard with a penalty of his own. The game was end to end, with Clevedon tackling like tigers. Before the break Clevedon took the lead through a well-worked try by Steve Johnson.

The second half showed Basingstoke playing with great determination. This paid off with a great catch and drive at the lineout to score a try and take the lead. They increased their lead with yet another penalty because of a lack of discipline by Clevedon. Clevedon were now playing catch up rugby and a counter attack resulted in turnover ball, which Basingstoke ran back to score a converted try. This put Clevedon 21-8 behind. The Clevedon team still giving it their best could not make use of the possession they had. The scrum was solid and McMillan and Shopland won good lineout ball. Too much slow ball at rucks and Mauls did not help their cause. Again possession kicked away led to another Basingstoke converted try. Good forward work and slick back passing saw Steve Johnson score his second try. Basingstoke finished with a late penalty and a try for a deserved victory.

The introduction of replacements debutants Tom Excell and James Russell shows promise for the future.

Next Saturday Clevedon are away to Chinnor. Coach leaves the club at 10:15. Supporters £5.00