Stow win well to close in behind league leaders High Wycombe (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Stow win well to close in behind league leaders High Wycombe

WITH a comprehensive 36-0 Southern Counties North win over their Bicester hosts on Saturday, Stow have moved into second place behind league leaders High Wycombe.

While both sides went into this game with a number of players missing, Stow never looked in danger of losing.

A reshuffled back line, without three first choices, performed well for Stow who worked up the hill from the start with great inter-play between the forwards.

Eventually, Craig Chapman broke through to off-load to fellow back-row Luke Perrin for the score. Duncan Smith was wide with the conversion.

The visitors increased their lead soon after when Bicester failed to clear their lines.

The ball landed with captain Pete Taylor who gained valuable ground before passing to Craig Chapman who beat several defenders to score. But Smith was again off target.

Bicester did rally but found it difficult to string together any phases and Stow scored their third try on the half-hour.

A lineout was won 25 metres out and stand-in scrum-half Duncan Smith danced round the defence to score under the posts, leaving himself the simplest of conversions.

But when Perrin was sent to the sin-bin for persistent off-sides, the hosts failed to make the extra man count and went into the break 17 points to nil down.

Soon after the re-start, Stow scored their fourth. A penalty was kicked for touch and, from the resulting lineout, Mat Hicks broke blind, giving a great off-load in the tackle for Duncan Smith to score. An awkward conversion was missed.

Bicester did persevere and, from one of their many penalties, ran the length of the pitch, only to drop the ball over the line.

Stow cleared their lines and were never again really in danger. After more concerted pressure, a penalty was run in front of the posts.

After several phases, the ball went down the line for Marcus Edwards to score in the corner. Smith stepped up and converted from the touchline.

More scores could have come if quick ball had been supplied, but on several occasions this option was not taken.

But the final score came from a secured lineout 30 metres out. The ball came to centre Paul Burns who cruised through a leaky defence to touch down under the posts, leaving Smith another easy conversion.

Stow, who travel to Phoenix on Saturday, retained possession for the final few minutes to take the game very comfortably.