Southern Counties North

Stow 41

High Wycombe 22

BOTTOM-OF-THE-LEAGUE Stow got their season up and running with a fine victory over third-placed High Wycombe.

Stow pressured the visitors from the start, with some driving forward runs.

Wycombe conceded a penalty after seven minutes, which Stow ran rather than going for the three points and Ned Mawby crossed for the first try, converted out wide by Joe Nott.

Stow retained possession well and at the right moment let their sharp-looking backs loose.

The ball may have passed through all 15 pairs of hands before James Holmes crossed under the posts.

Shortly afterwards Nott kicked a penalty and Stow were in total control at 17-0.

With Dave Lane carded for a lapse in defence, Wycombe hit back with an unconverted try.

Wycombe showed their mettle, putting Stow under the cosh and they should have scored again only to spill the ball over the line.

Stow rallied and two minutes before half-time they scored the try of the match.

Following driving runs by Ben Ullmer and Dan Salvage, Stow worked the ball left and right. The support play was excellent and the passing and pace was too much for Wycombe with Stow scoring through debutant Max Burnside, who had an excellent game, to take the half-time score to 22-5.

The start of the second half was disjointed as a Wycombe player was injured and taken to hospital.

After a long delay the game continued on an alternative pitch.

Wycombe responded well and scored after 50 mins to reduce the arrears to 12 points. The visitors were looking threatening, but immediately afterwards lost their loose head prop to the bin.

It was now Stow`s turn to use their man advantage and they scored again with Ted Holmes darting between the posts; Nott added the conversion (29-10).

The final 20 minutes saw both teams playing running rugby, but Stow retained the ball better than their opponents.

Wycombe cut the lead to 12 points on 65 minutes, but Stow countered and a training ground move resulted in captain James Holmes slicing through the defence for another five points.

Wycombe were not finished and crossed again after some good handling, but the final play of the match saw another powerful Dan Salvage drive and subsequent quick hands by the backs put Bradley Wrench in for a try under the posts.

With Nott converting the final score was 41-22.

An excellent performance which will give the Stow squad much encouragement.