STOW-on-the-Wold Rugby Club lost 39-17 at Bletchley in Southern Counties North but the hosts' victory was not as comfortable as the scoreline suggested.

The Cotswold visitors enjoyed plenty of possession but failed to capitalise on their many chances.

Bletchley went ahead with a penalty try and increased their lead when their winger scored in the corner.

An Alex Kelley penalty hit the post and Stow went down to 14 men following a yellow card.

However, they scored next as prop Dan Savage was lurking wide and his bullish run ended with Richard Huggett scoring in the corner.

Bletchley hit back with a try from their speedy backs, which was cancelled out when Andrew Piercey broke and quick ball went wide for Bradley Wrench to score with Kelley converting.

With Stow 17-12 down at the break, they lost another player to the sin-bin early in the second-half followed by two more for Bletchley, who had secured their bonus-point fourth try.

The hosts scored again and then Stow were unlucky when Piercey had the ball knocked out of his hands only for Craig Chapman to bag their final try.

But several Stow players were carrying injuries and Bletchley finished them off with two late breakaway tries.