Stow put 13 tries past an unlucky Bicester (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Stow put 13 tries past an unlucky Bicester

IN chalking up their biggest league score of recent times, 75-0, Stow-in-the-Wold ran in a total of 13 tries to win Saturday's league game against Bicester at a canter.

However, there were periods of play where the visitors had the upper hand, but the Stow defence remained watertight, leaving Bicester with nothing to show for their efforts.

The home team broke through inside five minutes when quick lineout ball saw Will Sare making the ground before passing to Duncan Smith who touched down under the posts, leaving himself an easy conversion.

From the re-start, the back row of Luke Perrin and Craig Chapman took possession straight back to the Bicester line where Nathan Graham was on hand to score under the posts. Smith added an easy conversion.

From a scrum, Stow pressured and, when the ball was passed, Nathan Graham intercepted for the simplest of tries which was also converted.

The fourth try came via a bullocking run by Harold Smith in the centre. He took out several defenders before off-loading for wing Andy Cartlidge to score an unconverted try in the corner.

Bicester countered and got the better of their rivals for 15 minutes or so. But even with an extra man, after Nathan Graham was binned, they could not score.

Just before the break, Stow went further ahead. Sare collected a spilled ball on half-way and danced through several despairing tackles to score.

Though Smith was wide with the conversion attempt, Stow were 31 points up at the break.

Soon after the interval, a tap penalty saw the forwards taking play upfield where, from quick ruck ball, Bradley Wrench scored in the corner with Smith kicking a tricky conversion.

In reply, Bicester had their best chance, but Wrench's great try-saving tackle denied them.

Stow came straight back and Nathan Graham broke from half- way before unselfishly giving Andy Cartlidge an easy touch-down. Smith hit a post.

With 20 minutes left, Stow took complete control in all departments. Their forwards claimed the next two unconverted tries, the first coming from Charlie Dunn and the second for Craig Chapman.

Duncan Smith then scored under the posts after sprinting in from his own 22 and converting.

Tom Davies came on for his first team debut, having played in every Stow age group, and looked very composed.

Bradley Wrench scored his second of the day after a mis-move in the centre, but Smith could not convert. The last two tries were reserved for Smith who ran in from 50 metres and Andy Cartlidge in the corner.

Although both went unconverted, Stow had won in convincing and stylish fashion.