Sat 16 Sep 2023, 15:00
“You were all magnificent*” were the final comments from Aylesbury’s most passionate coach, which highlighted the grit and determination from the team.
A series of early errors from Aylesbury in the first 15 minutes gave Stow repeated set-piece opportunities to move up the field but each time, they were held to the gain line, thanks to an epic defensive display. Stow were physical in their attack, but the black and magenta line held fast around the ruck and through the back line.
Aylesbury started to come together as a team through the first half and iron out some of the errors, winning set pieces and starting to bring its electric backline into the game. Great line breaks from Matt Dennis and Mike Forbes eventually led to a Mike Forbes Try (conversion from Tom Powell-Williams).
The new tackle height laws continued to be a factor for both sides when defending and Aylesbury gave away penalties in key areas allowing Stow back into the game. Stow used the strength of their pack to suck in the Aylesbury defence and come back with 2 tries of their own.
Aylesbury kept their cool and despite a number of injuries/substitutions managed to regain momentum and scored 3 unanswered tries from Phil McGraw (conversion from Tom Powell-Williams), Jow Burt and Ollie Bowles. At half time Aylesbury were up 24-10, but against a strong Stow side, it was a long way from feeling comfortable.
The second half began with Stow regaining possession from the kickoff and working their way towards the try line. More tackle height errors gave the visitors repeated set piece in the 22 and finally, the pressure turned into points as Stow scored and an Aylesbury player went to the bin for 10 minutes.
As the second half went on the Aylesbury pack started to build dominance, pushing Stow off their own ball in the scrum and driving possession off the lineouts. Powerful driving runs from Alexi Sale and Jon Davies fatigued the defence and when the ball came out to the backs, Phil McGraw took advantage with some elusive running through the defence and eventually found Matt Dennis who scored (conversion from Tom Powell-Williams). Another score came soon after from Aylesbury’s mobile No 8 Dan Partridge.
Credit to Stow who never lost their work rate andthey continued to play with passion retaining possession from their final kick-off and eventually working their way to the try line.
The cool head of Daniel O’Donnel was already on the pitch at full-back and his series of well-placed kicks repeatedly left Stow trying to play out of their 22 and eventually closed out the match 36-22.
*Please note: Ben Holcombe was not playing.
