Stow RFC just misses out in the race for promotion (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Stow RFC just misses out in the race for promotion

SPRING has been bursting out all over this week in Stow as the club has hosted the World Cup, skies have been clear and spirits high.

Saturday's trip to Beaconsfield on the beech-covered Chiltern Hills for the last league game of the season was surrounded in excitement for the Glo'shire team.

A win for Stow would mean a play-off for promotion while a loss would see them staying in this league.

The game started tentatively with Beaconsfield attacking and the visitors defending well until their back line were caught offside. That gave the first points to the hosts.

Stow continued to drive on through the forwards and a Beaconsfield player was hospitalised after a lengthy stoppage.

Beaconsfield were awarded a penalty and their forwards drove Stow back to gain another penalty. Beaconsfield now led 6-0.

In no mood to cow-tow and following repeated driving play, Stow forged over the line and home-grown no 8 Craig Chapman was awarded an unconverted try.

The game swung back in the hosts' favour with little cohesion from either side and Stow conceded another penalty in their own half.

Beaconsfield led 9-5. From the restart, defensive pressure by the visitors caused panic kicking from their rivals, allowing Stow to counter on the hoof.

Ian Beasley turned up at centre to receive the ball and cannon a pop-pass to Will Sare who romped home for another try and a 10-9 advantage.

A game of ping-pong kicking ensued, culminating in the hosts being awarded another penalty and Stow now trailed 12-10.

The second half continued as the first. Matthew Hicks came on at hooker to add spice for Stow but, shortly after, Chapman was injured and replaced by veteran stalwart King.

Ian Beasley was then yellow carded and Stow soldiered on with 14 men for a while.

When Stow won a penalty 35 metres out and decided to kick, it was scuffed and their supporters' hearts were in their mouths.

Tempers flared and Beasley received a red card and had to go off. In the end, Stow returned home after a 12-10 loss and knowing they will meet up with Beaconsfield next season.