Stow 0 Oxford 0.

AS THE score suggests, this was a very close game with the defences getting the better of the argument.

Stow probably had the edge in possession and territory but Oxford came the closest to scoring.

The first half saw Stow spending a lot of time in the Oxford half, but not for the first time this season they could not turn their possession into points.

Often support play was too slow, leading to turnovers and penalties for holding on.

Mid-way through the half, Stow should have elected to kick for goal when three points would have been almost a certainty, but they ran the ball, lost possession and Oxford cleared their lines.

Soon after, another penalty was awarded but this was in a difficult position, Nick Caffero gave it good shot only for the attempt to fall short.

Stow had chances to put pressure on their opponents, but silly mistakes lost them ground.

The second half started well for Oxford and they should have been three points up within the first minute. Luckily for Stow, the straightforward penalty kick went wide.

Oxford had a much better second period and could have scored from a lineout.

They drove over the line but a magnificent piece of defending by Mat Hicks saw him get between the ground and the ball carrier so the referee could not give the score.

The rest of the half saw both sides trying to get the winning score as the game began to peter out, leaving both sides with a point.