Southern Counties North

Stow 14 High Wycombe 22

STOW were again undone by a dominant set of Wycombe forwards.

From the off things looked ominous as the big Wycombe pack tore into the Stow eight.

Wycombe sensed blood early on and after a series of driving mauls opened their scoring in the corner.

It was also clear that if Stow could get some clean ball in the back line they would cause problems.

However, it was the visitors who extended their lead. Again the forwards made ground and after a series of infringements a penalty try was awarded and converted.

Stow then woke up and managed to secure some ball. The forwards made ground with some pick-up-and-drives before releasing the backs and James Holmes was left with the space to outwit the defence and score; Nick Cafearo converted.

Half-time saw Wycombe leading by 12-7.

The second half started well for Stow; they managed for the first time in the match to compete up front and after several phases of play created space down the blind side in which Mark Whitney took full advantage to score.

The awkward conversion was also slotted by Cafearo.

Now leading, Stow needed to keep up the momentum but the Wycombe forwards had a second wind and took control for the last quarter of the game.

Another forwards' drive resulted in their third try. As time went on Stow looked like gaining a losing bonus point but in the last play of the game a Stow scrum, five metres from their own line, was disrupted and somehow possession turned over to present Wycombe with a bonus-point try.