First defeat at home puts a dent in Waldens ambitions.

Strong Defence by the Visitors keep Walden at bay.

Another rousing minutes applause prior to kick off, this time for Peter Reader Club President one of the founder members of the club who sadly recently passed away.
The match licked off in bright conditions, Stowmarket were first on the score board with a try wide out when their left winger was put in space and he used his pace to race down the wing and dot down in the corner. 0 -5 after on 3 minutes.
It took a while but Walden gradually gained parity in the set pieces and this resulted in flanker Matt Howe going over to level the scores after a prolonged piece of possession.
Walden then took the lead with 5 minutes left of the half when Stowmarket were penalised for offside 25 metres out and Walden took the 3 points. Half time 8 – 5.
Despite Walden having control in the first minutes of the second half it was Stowmarket who scored with a converted try under the posts when Walden dropped off some tackles
8 – 12 50th minute.
Walden looked most likely to score in the middle quarter of the half and it was only some strong defence plus the visitors giving away a series of penalties that could so easily have resulted in a Yellow Card that kept Walden at bay.
Finally with about 10 minutes to go Walden were yet again attacking and this time got really close to the Stowmarket try line after several phases of good possession. Substitute Scrum Half Paul Marshall finally took the direct approach and dived over from the base of a close range ruck to reach out to place the ball over the try line. The try was converted and Walden were ahead 15 -12.
But unfortunately Walden could not keep Stowmarket at bay and they rallied again to break through in the centres and scored their third try with only 2 minutes of play remaining. 15 – 19.
Walden managed to regain possession from the kick off but could not find the space to get close to scoring and eventually with the clock in the Red they knocked it on and Stowmarket were able to celebrate the victory.

Walden now have a week off from league action as they enter the second round of the Nation Intermediate Cup with an away tie at Letchworth.