Southern Counties North

Stow 31

Beaconsfield 16

STOW got off to a winning start for the season against visitors Beaconsfield.

It was a close encounter but Stow did lead throughout.

Early pressure was rewarded when Nick Cafearo scored with a penalty.

Soon after the visitors dropped the ball just inside their own half and James Brittan-Jones fed James Holmes who raced through to score close to the posts; Cafearo converted.

Both sides tried to run the ball when they could which tested both defences but the Stow rearguard looked the more secure.

Beaconsfield got into the game with a penalty when Stow were caught offside but this was quickly cancelled out by another Cafearo penalty and yellow card for the visitors. On the half-time whistle Stow were caught offside, the penalty was converted which left Stow ahead by 13-6 at the break.

A penalty apiece early into the half kept Stow ahead and they soon extended their lead. The forwards drove 25 metres upfield then released the ball to George Plum who scored in the corner.

Stow edged further ahead with another Cafearo penalty for hands in the ruck. Stow then lost a man to the bin and Beaconsfield had their best period of the game. They attacked constantly for 10 minutes and the Stow defence eventually cracked to concede a converted try.

Beaconsfield knocked on from the kick-off and Holmes was the quickest to react, seizing the ball to score close to the posts with George Roddan converting.