Southern Counties North

Stow 25 Reading Abbey 34

STOW put up a great fight in this very entertaining and high-scoring game against the league leaders Reading Abbey.

However, the 34-25 defeat could have been a different story but for Stow starting both halves badly.

From the first scrum of the match only a few minutes in, Abbey kicked behind the defence with their winger pouncing on the ball to score.

Soon after they had a second; a clever chip over the top was collected and then touched down under the posts for a converted score. Stow woke up and began to look dangerous, with phases starting to come together and the forwards making some good ground.

Nick Cafearo kicked a penalty to get Stow on the scoreboard but Abbey increased their lead when some very neat play in the backs saw their wing join the line and score. Although Stow were now 17-3 down they rallied and took control for the remainder of the half.

Strong forwards play saw second row Jeremy Darley pick up and score, although the conversion was missed. More forwards pressure led to good field position, the ball was switched to the blind side and James Holmes flattened his tackler to score. That left Stow just four points down at the break.

Stow had the breeze and the momentum at the start of the second half but Abbey quickly put paid to that by scoring a converted try from the restart.

The killer blow then came as Stow lost possession deep in the Abbey 22. The counter attack was a brilliant one resulting in a converted try.

Stow replied again with Holmes picking up from a scrum and breaking a couple of tackles to score close to the posts, leaving Nick Cafearo to convert.

The league leaders were now beginning to shake but a penalty put them back in charge. Stow would not let go and following a great break from prop Dan Salvage, quick ball went through several pairs of hands to Haydon Elsdale who scored in the corner. Stow now had their try bonus but wanted to get within seven points for another one but Abbey held out. It was another very good performance from Stow with some excellent tries but they need to find a way of winning these tight games.

Next week Stow travel to Buckingham.