STOW will be kicking themselves for losing their fourth game this season by three points or less.

Southern Counties North

Stow 10

Wallingford 12

Wallingford dealt with the elements much better than Stow in the first half, their big pack causing all sorts of problems.

The Stow back line received very little ball which limited any scoring chances.

With a strong wind behind, Stow should have taken advantage to camp on the visitors' line but handling errors and lost possession cost them ground.

Wallingford opened the scoring with their first real chance, after putting the hosts under pressure.

Alex Kelly kicked a penalty to get Stow back in the game but as half-time loomed they knew they had to up their game.

A reshuffle up front saw Stow compete in the tight and start to provide ball. However, at the break they were still 5-3 down.

In the second half Stow started well, knowing they had to keep possession as any turnover would pin them back. The forwards kept the ball tight in the sticky conditions and eventually, after some sustained pressure, Craig Chapman picked up and drove within inches of the line, before fly half Geoff Flather collected the ball to score, with Kelly converting.

Stow continued to control the game and thought they had done enough to see out the game.

Wallingford had other ideas. Chances to turn over possession were missed and then the Stow defensive line rushed out leaving the visitors with an opening which they gratefully accepted to score under the posts.

The conversion made it 12-10 to Wallingford and Stow, who had failed to perform on the day, ran out of time.