STOW had secured their try bonus point by the break but had to sustain a fight back from the visitors after half-time in very challenging conditions.

Southern Counties North

Stow 31

Royal Wootton Bassett 15

Stow came out all guns blazing and were a try to the good before RWB had even touched the ball. A decisive break by fly half George Roddan split the defence, and a neat pass to Geoff Flather saw him score close to the posts; Nick Cafearo converted. The visitors were struggling to get into the game with the Stow forwards providing plenty of ball.

Roddan made another telling break, Dave Lane was close at hand to take possession and with forwards in support Chris Pouseland scored; Caffearo again converted.

The visitors had now woken up and opened their scoring with a penalty but this was immediately cancelled out by Cafearo's boot.

From some sustained pressure quick ball resulted in James Holmes crashing over leaving Cafearo to convert. Just before the break there was time for Craig Chapman to drive over from close range and again Cafearo was on target with the conversion.

Just after the break the weather broke and torrential rain and strong winds dictated play. RWB now had the elements in their favour and they used them well, pinning Stow back. From a penalty they kicked to the corner and from the resulting line-out drove over for a converted try.

Stow held firm for a short period before they were back in their own 22. An attacking scrum close to the line saw the Bassett No.8 pick up and drive over for the last score of the match.

The final 15 minutes saw Stow defend well and the final whistle ended a very good game.