A COMBINED Minch 1st/2nd XV marched the Fosse Way to Stow for this friendly and after withstanding an early barrage, came away comfortable winners.

Friendly

Stow XV 10

Minchinhampton XV 35

The talented Pete Plaisted and Adam Stride enjoyed their first outings for the club and helped share a fine afternoon for Minch.

The first ten minutes were dominated by Stow, as they controlled all aspects of play and scored early on.

However, once Minch's pack tightened and perked up, the tide turned with the backs running deep and wide to retaliate with Humberstone and Grant scoring superb tries from deep.

Tedham and Langford linked up well with some determined and skilful runs and, with Mally back in the frame, the backs were constantly making territorial advantage.

Brookman, Rich Wood and McCullom controlled the fringes highly effectively, Austin and Rosser made barnstorming runs, but it was Wood who enjoyed the champagne moment with a 40-yard weaving run to score under the posts for the final word.