Southern Counties North

Alchester 5 Stow 14

STOW always looked likely to come out on top but found it difficult to subdue a determined Alchester side on a very cold afternoon.

After a five-minute opening phase from the kick-off, when both sides came close to scoring tries, the ball was eventually kicked into touch.

From the line-out Alchester attacked and Stow were penalised twice for offside. Alchester elected to run the penalties, but the Stow defence held firm.

On 15 minutes Ben Ullmer won a line-out, Alex Kelly jinked his way past three defenders and fed a pass to James Holmes who ran round under the posts; Nick Cafaero safely kicked the conversion.

Cafearo failed with a penalty after more Stow pressure on 20 minutes. But Stow were dominating the match and five minutes later more quick possession resulted in space for Holmes, to beat two defenders wide out on the left. Cafaero converted to put Stow 14 points ahead.

The last 15 minutes of the half became very scrappy with many unexplained stoppages and no additions to the score.

Alchester started the second half well and after seven minutes on the Stow line, they scored through a catch and drive, which was not converted.

Alchester continued to attack but couldn't break the strong Stow defence.

A penalty on their own line relieved the pressure for Stow, who should have scored at the other end after some slick handling.

Several stoppages, a yellow card for each side and an injury to Holmes resulted in a very disjointed second half (which ended 55 minutes after it started) with Stow unable to increase their lead.