Stow defeat Salisbury to get 2004 off to a tremendous start (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Stow defeat Salisbury to get 2004 off to a tremendous start

STOW got their new year campaign off to the best possible start with a decisive 22-11 home victory on Saturday over lower-ranked league rivals Salisbury.

The game proved a great afternoon's entertainment for a large crowd who witnessed five superb tries between the two rival factions.

This victory was the result of a massive performance by the home side who had to play nearly half the game with only 14 men. The start by the hosts could not have been better.

A midfield scrum 40 metres out was won with the ball being run open.

Quick recycling from the tackle saw scrum-half Nathan Graham break clear and he passed to Mark Whitney who came on a great line at pace.

Whitney then slipped the ball to winger Duncan Smith who beat his man to score in the corner. The conversion went wide.

Salisbury hit back immediately after winning a scrum close to the touchline 15 metres out from the Stow line.

Quick channelling left the home defence flat-footed as the visitors' winger raced over in the corner. The kick was missed.

Soon after, Salisbury went ahead with the simplest of penalties when Stow were caught offside in front of their posts.

Possession at this point was fairly even, but Salisbury were keeping the ball alive better and beginning to turn over Stow ball.

However, Stow won ball on half-way and, after a series of forward drives, let the ball wide with Duncan Smith receiving possession 25 metres out.

He danced brilliantly past several defenders before rounding off an excellent move by touching down under the posts. It left Mat Watts an easy conversion.

Just before the break, Salis-bury were again on the attack when Stow were pulled up for joining the maul from the side, right in front of their own posts.

The three points were gratefully accepted, leaving the game neatly poised at 12-11 in Stow's favour at the break.

But Stow edged further ahead soon after the restart another great run from Duncan Smith took play to within 15 metres of the opposition's line where they infringed.

Nathan Graham quickly took the penalty and broke clear before off-loading to Adam Beston who touched down for the score. The conversion was missed.

Salisbury came straight back and were on the attack in the home 22 when the referee pulled up Mat Hicks for foul play and red carded him.

Salisbury opted for the scrum, but could not cross the Stow line due to a mammoth defensive effort.

The onslaught continued for 20 minutes with Stow not helping their own cause due to crucial knock-ons and failing to find touch. Stow did occasionally break out with their backs looking very dangerous.

From one of these sorties, the ball was lost in the Salisbury 22.

A clearance found Adam Beston on the ten-metre line and, in a brilliant run, he evading several tackles to get within 15 metres of the Salisbury line.

Second-row Gary Gardener was on hand to take the ball from the tackle before the rest of the forwards arrived en masse.

They drove over the line with Stow's inspiring captain, Pete Taylor, appearing from the heap of bodies to claim the try. With only five minutes left, there was no way back for Salisbury.

This Saturday, Stow travel to high-flying Maidenhead.