Southern Counties North

Thatcham 21 Stow 27

STOW got back on track with a hard-fought win away at Thatcham.

Early pressure came from Stow but the opening score came via a dropped goal from the hosts.

The boot then dominated proceedings with Nick Cafearo kicking three penalties to Thatcham's one, leaving the game nicely balanced at 9-6 in Stow’s favour.

Just before the break a well-worked converted try by Thatcham gave them a 13-9 lead.

With the wind behind them in the second period Stow started badly by losing a player to the bin.

Thatcham took advantage and scored their second try but James Holmes managed to charge down the conversion attempt.

Stow then got back into the game but the normally reliable boot of Cafearo let him down with three missed penalty chances.

Then it was the home side's turn to lose a man to the bin and Holmes exploited the extra man for Stow’s first try of the afternoon. Then a Cafearo penalty left Stow trailing by only a point.

Stow subsequently took the lead, a great jinking run by Alex Kelly scythed through the Thatcham defence for a try close to the posts; Cafearo kicked the conversion.

Cafearo then extended Stow's lead with another penalty but more importantly took them two scores clear with time running out.

A trip put Thatcham back down to 14 men but in the dying seconds a well-taken dropped goal secured the home side a consolation losing bonus point.

Stow were delighted to resume winning ways form and jump back to fourth in the table. This weekend Stow entertain Wallingford.