Southern Counties North

Stow 22 Marlow 11

STOW got back to winning ways in a very hard fought encounter against Marlow.

With the wind at their backs the visitors started strongly and put Stow under considerable pressure, but some superb defensive work meant that Marlow could muster only a penalty for an offside offence.

It took some time for Stow to settle but with both sides making their first tackles count there were few chances created.

Stow drew level with a Nick Cafearo penalty when Marlow were caught offside then Cafearo added a second just before the break.

Marlow, having had more of the ball, would have been disappointed to go into the break three points down.

The second half saw Stow take charge but this time it was the visitors' defence that held firm until a quickly taken penalty resulted in the ball going through several pairs of hands before Geoff Flather took the final pass to score close to the posts; Cafearo converted.

Stow were now on top and went further ahead with another Cafearo penalty.

Stow then went to sleep for 15 minutes, Marlow hit back with a drop goal then a neat chip was collected by their right wing for a score in the corner.

From a comfortable position Stow were now only one score ahead and were fortunate when Marlow thought they had scored in the corner only to be pulled back for clipping the touch line on the run-in.

Stow woke up and rallied, took play back into the visitors' half and secured the win with two late Cafearo penalties.

Stow were very pleased with the result but know they can play a lot better.