Norwich 22, Stowmarket 41: It is a long time since Norwich conceded over 40 points at home but at the end of the day they can have no complaints.

Stowmarket were level on points with Norwich, despite having lost one more game, thanks to scoring four more bonus points, and judging by the way they played it soon became apparent how this had been achieved.

For the neutral this was a cracking game to watch but for Norwich supporters it was at times painful.

Norwich started brightly and in the second minute scored a great try after Will Rist had made a telling break and fed right wing Dan Coltman who touched down wide out. Jay O'Brien could not convert.

The visitors hit back quickly, creating space out wide for winger Dan Garrard to score. Norwich responded with a sustained period of pressure from which Rist crashed over to recover the lead. O'Brien added the conversion but Norwich allowed their opponents back into the game. Their tackling, which has not often let them down this season, was not good enough and it was no surprise when Garrard cantered over for his second try. Tom Searles succeeded with the conversion to level the scores. Just when they needed to steady the ship Norwich conceded a soft try scored by hooker Jack Hayward. Searles failed with the conversion to leave the visitors leading 17-12 at the break.

It got worse for Norwich in the scond half as they quickly conceded another try when centre Stuart Hill went over under the posts for Searles to add the easy conversion. Norwich immediately responded and No 8 Simon Darby crashed over after a scrum to reduce the arrears.

With the game entering the last quarter Norwich were trying to play catch-up and in doing so handed Garrard his hat-trick after some sloppy defence. The conversion was missed but Norwich had a mountain to climb. Despite a lot of pressure it seemed they were destined not to score but shortly after Chris Wilson was yellow carded Darby went over to give Norwich a glimmer of hope.

The conversion was missed and the game was wrapped up for the visitors by two late tries by Hayward, one of which was converted, to give them a victory they thoroughly deserved .