HIGH Wycombe RUFC made light of losing their captain Sam Churchyard to Maidenhead by inflicting a first defeat on Stow-on-the-Wold, ending what has been a tough start to the season for the Kingsmead club.

Number Eight Churchyard’s defection left a significant hole in the team, but former captain Ian Isham stepped into the breach and a victory over the previous league leaders was his reward.

They won 24-19 to register the first league win of the season actually achieved on the pitch – they got the points against Milton Keynes a fortnight ago when the north Bucks side failed to raise a team.

Chairman Simon Wingrove said: “The beginning of the season is always a bit topsy-turvy and nobody really knows where anybody stands.

“Last season it didn’t start to become clear until half way through so we’ve just got to keep pushing and not get too concerned about our past results or what other teams are doing.

“We got a thrashing by Marlow and then they lost to the bottom of the league so the league won’t take shape until about Christmas.

“But I’m really pleased with Saturday’s result. It was neck and neck until the last 15 minutes, but we had a lot of the ball and could have won by more.”

Tomorrow High Wycombe go to Wallingford.