STOW-on-the-Wold cemented their Southern Counties North top six position after basement boys Swindon College Old Boys failed to raise a team for their scheduled clash.

The walk-over leaves Stow eight points ahead of Drifters with a visit to third-from-bottom Reading Abbey to come on Saturday.

  • Evesham are scheduled to host Nuneaton in the National Colts Plate third round on Sunday.

But, with the Avonside pitches having been under water, the under 18s fixture may be in jeopardy.

Evesham only just progressed due to being the away team after a 29-29 draw at Kenilworth when both sides managed four tries.

With a much depleted squad due to injuries and holiday commitments, the Vale side opened the scoring with an Ash Charlton penalty.

Kenilworth hit back with a penalty and converted try but Evesham’s forwards wrestled control with the resurgent Jay Hann voted player-of-the-match.

Alex Stoddart and Connor Greatrix scored close-range efforts with Charlton converting one to ensure a 15-10 lead at the break.

Ash Icke finished off a forwards move and Charlton converted but the tide turned quickly as Evesham relaxed.

Kenilworth scored three tries in 15 minutes with the extras added twice to establish a 29-22 lead.

With five minutes left, Evesham levelled following a line-out with Charlton diving over after being found by Josh Perry, who was playing at scrum-half for the first time. Charlton’s crucial conversion ensured fortunate progress for Evesham.