MILTON KEYNES must have thought it was Christmas as Stow gifted them this win.

In tricky conditions, Stow played against the elements in the first half and impressed up front.

Southern Counties North

Milton Keynes 26

Stow 3

The home side were put under pressure in the tight but when ball was won dropped passes and wrong decisions resulted in pressure not being converted.

Stow managed to lose possession under their own posts, the ball went wide and MK scored an unconverted try in the corner.

Stow hit back immediately with well-taken penalty from Nick Cafearo. However, Stow were contributing to their own downfall, missed tackles were crucial and meant the home side went into the break with a 5-3 lead.

Stow should have used the wind in the second half but good attacking chances turned to nothing. The forwards were still on top but countless opportunities were squandered due to mistakes.

MK capitalised on another dropped pass in midfield and ran in their second try under the posts which was converted.

Stow went further behind when they let the MK full back run the ball back 40 metres; once stopped, quick ball resulted in their third try which was converted.

Again Stow put some pressure back on but they could not score and then in the final couple of minutes the game was summed up when Stow dropped yet another pass in midfield, the ball was hacked on and touched down for the home side’s bonus-point try.