STOW-on-the-Wold Rugby Club got back on track with a hard-fought 27-21 win at Thatcham in Southern Counties North.
The boot dominated early on with Stow’s Nick Cafearo kicking three penalties to Thatcham’s one and a drop goal, but a converted try gave Thatcham a 13-9 lead at the break.
With the wind behind them in the second-half, Stow lost a player to the sin-bin and conceded a second unconverted try.
Cafearo missed three penalties before Stow were helped by Thatcham having a man yellow carded.
James Holmes exploited the space for their first try and Cafearo’s penalty left the visitors just one point behind.
Alex Kelley scythed through the defence to give Stow the lead and Cafearo converted.
He kicked one more penalty but Thatcham, despite losing another man to the sin-bin, grabbed a losing bonus point with a late drop goal.
Fourth-placed Stow host Wallingford on Saturday.
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