Try count down but Stow on up (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Try count down but Stow on up

Stow 19pts,

Amersham & Chiltern 3

STOW at last showed their potential when recording a comfortable Southern Counties North win.

Many more chances were created last Saturday but basic mistakes resulted in only three tries.

The omens didn't look good as the visitors pressed continually from the first whistle and they missed a penalty before converting another after eight minutes.

However, the Oddington Road men then woke up with the forwards working as a unit both in the loose and tight to ensure a good supply of ball to the back division.

From a series of phases, the ball was kept in the hands and a break by Duncan Smith took play to within 15 metres of the line with one defender to beat. Prop Josh Harrison was in support to take the pass and score close to the posts leaving Smith with a simple conversion.

Stow pressed again but lost possession in Amersham territory. The ball was kicked downfield and collected by Craig Chapman who gained valuable ground. Alex Willens then took play on before quick ball from a ruck sent centre Paul Burns crashing through the defence.

Again, with one man to beat, he unselfishly passed for captain Pete Taylor to run in the try.

The visitors were struggling to get into the game with Stow dominating possession but a golden opportunity went begging when a great break left winger Bradley Wrench an unopposed run in but unfortunately he failed to hold on to the ball.

Several more chances went begging due to simple mistakes but, at the break, the hosts boasted a nine-point cushion.

When Amersham missed touch with the penalty, the ball was collected and driven back by Mat Hicks before a great crash offload to George Walker allowed him to run in under the posts leaving Smith with another simple two points.

The visitors then picked up their game and began to string some good work together and pin Stow back but the home defence was watertight.

Just as Stow reverted to 15 men they then lost Josh Harrison to the bin and that gave the visitors the upper hand again but, several forays close to the Stow line, were repelled by more superb defensive play.

The last few minutes saw Stow regain the initiative but no more points were forthcoming although the winners were pleased with their afternoon's endeavours.