The first half was not what the home side had hoped for. A combination of too much respect and a lack of assertion across the board allowed HAC to get on the front foot early and exert pressure. Their offloading and support play game in particular was a highlight to watch for the spectators but not so much for the home supporters. A few uncharacteristic dropped balls and some disjointed play frustrated Stow. HAC capitalised on one of these errors and were able to score unopposed from a Stow dropped ball. They added a further score from a clever show and go from the fly-half who exploited the disjointed defenders. Despite this the home side put together some good lineout ball and set a fantastic maul from 8 meters out which sent Number 8 Ali Vivian crashing over. Half time score 7-19 to HAC.

With Stow aiming to finish in mid-table in their first season at Level 6, some honest and stern words at half time made the second half much closer to the standard that was expected. From the first kick off a strong carry by Jack Cole followed by some aggressive carries by Man of the Match Jack Haward immediately silenced and stuttered the away side. Luke Keatley found his rhythm in the lineout and the return of Gavin Rudland into the front row gave some extra X-Factor which was felt by the team. The half became far more combative with much more go forward from Stow. The returning James Simpson was regularly over the gainline and Jack Norfolk was always a threat from the left wing with his pace and kicking game. A try was due, and Stow put together several phases inside the HAC twenty-two and cleverly shipped the ball into the bottom right corner to go through the slick hands of the forwards to allow Zak Chine-Lacey to scoot over unopposed. 12-19 with ten to go.

The heavens then opened up and the game became even more of a slog fest. Both sides put together some good attacks but lost out in the final execution. Stow were really pressing now and were meeting every physical challenge thrown at them as well as dishing out some drives of their own. Sadly the bonus point was snatched at the death by some more HAC offloading allowing them to crash over. The celebrations from the away side showing just how much better Stow had been in the second half and how close Stow had come to an upset against a top four side.

Man of the Match: Jack Haward

Next week sees Stowmarket travel to Ipswich for round 2 of the Suffolk Derby.