Eastern Counties 3 Stowmarket Thirds 39 Aldeburgh & Thorpeness 22 Stowmarket took an early lead with a Gareth Dean try in the third minute converted by Angus Williams, writes Malcolm Beer.

Aldeburgh sent a reply to Stow on the restart which was picked up by Steve Anchor making yards towards the Stowmarket try line; but he was brought down just before he could score.

Stowmarket looked on for another try in the 13th, however Aldeburgh were penalised for holding on in the tackle on the line and a penalty try was awarded to Stowmarket.

Handling errors from Aldeburgh handed Stow a penalty in front of the posts, easily put over by Williams, whilst Aldeburgh brought on John Taylor in a welcome return to the Greens.

From a half way scrum Stowmarket made four quick phases leading to a try in the 23rd minute, but this time Williams was unable to convert. Seven minutes later came another try for Stow on the periphery, again unconverted.

In the last phases of the first half, the visitors rallied with a catch-and-drive maul from a line-out allowing Chris Outten to put an unconverted score on the board for the Greens before the break.

The second half started with more tries for Stowmarket. Quick hands from an unsuccessful Aldeburgh line-out led to a Callum Roberts try and another Williams conversion in the 44th minute.

Dominant scrummaging from the visitors allowed a try by captain Matt Deane in the 54th minute, confidently converted by Steve Anchor. Aldeburgh dominated the re-start as Jed Gallant fed Deane for his second try but Anchor couldn’t get the conversion over the bar.

Stowmarket struck back with another try in the 65th, unconverted. Frustrations showed in the last 15 with Stowmarket’s Jamie Warner binned for a deliberate knock-on and stern words from the referee.

More hard work for Aldeburgh was rewarded by a Michael Tillbrook try on the far side but once more unconverted as time ran out.