STOW-on-the-Wold Rugby Club showed glimpses of their old selves but crashed 37-8 at Marlow in Southern Counties North.

The one-time leaders have fallen to fifth and they were soundly beaten on their travels despite producing some of the magic shown before Christmas.

But the early signs were not good as Stow got on the wrong end of the referee’s whistle and were constantly pulled up.

The hosts went ahead with a penalty and their first try arrived after quick thinking from the scrum-half when the Cotswold side were penalised for not releasing.

The visitors struggled to get into the game but a fine Nick Cafearo penalty put them on the scoreboard.

However, Stow fell further behind when a blind-side run resulted in a try in the corner.

Just before the break, a missed tackle in midfield opened up a gaping hole and led to a converted try.

The second-half was much better and Stow pressurised but could not score.

Mid-table Marlow broke out and ended up with a five-metre scrum, which they pushed over the line for their try bonus point.

Stow hit back as a good run from Bradley Wrench opened up the defence and created an overlap for Craig Hughes to score in the corner.

But Marlow were not finished and, with Stow’s injury list mounting, more missed tackles gifted them their last score.

Stow need to get back on course when they entertain second-from-bottom Milton Keynes on Saturday (2.15pm).

Meanwhile, Shipston-on-Stour are third-from-bottom in Midlands Three West (South) after a 34-8 defeat at Pershore.

Shipston visit second-placed Woodrush on Saturday.