MATT Guilfoyle scored a hat-trick of tries which helped Basingstoke RFC beat visiting Twickenham 29-28 in a London One South thriller.

This game kept the crowd on the edge of their seats, as the sides exchanged the lead throughout the contest, with ’Stoke finally coming out on top, to snap a five game losing streak.

However, it was the visitors who started the better and after eight minutes, took the lead thanks to a 30 metre penalty from Simon Bundy.

The same player doubled the advantage from closer to the posts soon after, and then a nice break from Andrew Keane set-up Stephen MacConville to score a try, and the writing looked on the wall for the home side.

However, they hit back almost immediately, as they forced the ball over from Guilfoyle and then Guy Wilkinson added the extras.

The home side’s fans had only just finished celebrating the first try, when ’Stoke struck again, as Guilfoyle this time went in at the corner.

Even if Wilkinson missed the tough conversion out wide, the home side still led 12-11.

Right on the stroke of half-time, Twickenham restored their lead, as MacConville forced his way over from a ruck and Bundy added the conversion, so the visitors led 16-12 at the interval, but there was little to choose between the sides.

Basingstoke were first to get on the scoreboard after the break, after Steve Osborne made a break and a low pass from Wilkinson was brilliantly picked up by his boot laces from Callum Staff.

He in turn fed Guilfoyle for his hat-trick try and Dave Byett, now on kicking duty, added the conversion for a one point lead.

As was the nature of this game Twickenham replied as Joseph Winstanley stormed down field and offloaded to Keane.

He belly flopped under the posts and Bundy added the conversion.

The home side then piled on the pressure and Ryan Davis looked to have scored, but it was ruled out due to knock-on.

’Stoke kept the visitors up against their own try line with a number of scrums, and when the fourth one in a row was collapsed by Twickenham, referee Adam Leal had no hesitation to signal a penalty try and Byett kicked over the conversion for a 23-22 lead.

With three minutes left and being roared on by the home crowd, ’Stoke scored again, as Matt Woodhouse forced his way into the corner and Byett just missed the conversion from wide on the touchline.

This gave Basingstoke a six point advantage with three minutes to go, but once again Twickenham were able to score a try, thanks to Nicholas Sharp from a rolling maul.

You could feel the tension in the air, as Bundy lined up his conversion out wide near the touchline, knowing if he was successful his side would take the lead.

Unfortunately, his kick went wide of the posts and the home side were able to see out the final minutes for a memorable victory.

Basingstoke’s next game is away at Sutton and Epsom on Sunday December 6 away at Sutton and Epsom.

However, there is rugby at Down Grange on Wednesday night, when the annual Sparstoke Cup is being held, and will see Basingstoke Academy face Sparsholt College (kick-off 7.45pm). Admission is by programme on the night.