WHEN Stowmarket's overseas recruit Stephen Fenemor agreed to join the club last summer the youngster knew he was about to embark on an experience that would round him both as a rugby player and as a person.

WHEN Stowmarket's overseas recruit Stephen Fenemor agreed to join the club last summer the youngster knew he was about to embark on an experience that would round him both as a rugby player and as a person.

He perhaps didn't expect to see the chaos that unfolded through the UK due to the snow over December and January.

More importantly, it left the 19-year-old, who arrived from New Zealand in the summer, without a game for over a month.

“I'd never seen snow in a built up area before so that was pretty cool although it meant we couldn't play much rugby for a few weeks - that was more of a disappointment,” said Fenemor, who has impressed at fly-half for the Stowmarket club this season as the club looks to gain promotion from Eastern Counties One.

“Apart from that though, I've had a great time so far and I've really enjoyed playing in the UK.

“I'm probably used to a slightly higher standard of rugby when I was in New Zealand but Stowmarket is a great club.”

Fenemor's move came about through Stow head coach Gavin Hogg, who trained the youngster when he was teaching rugby at Motueka High School in the Tasman district of New Zealand.

Upon Hogg's appointment as head coach at the club last summer, he asked if the talented stand-off would like to spend a season playing with the Eastern Counties side.

“It's been great to link up with Gavin again,” added Fenemor, who helped the club complete their refurbished clubhouse when he initially arrived in July.

“I would say he is the best coach that I've played under. He knows how to work with teams and he has made a real difference to my game while I've been working with him.”

It is hoped that an exchange programme can be put in place that would see one of the Stowmarket players spend a season in New Zealand with Hogg's contacts over there.

If they can have the same kind of impact Fenemor has had at Chilton Fields then a New Zealand side would jump at the chance.

Fenemor played a key role in Stow's run to the semi-finals of the London & South East Junior Vase which came to an end with a 23-6 defeat to Saracens Amateurs and he admitted his time at the club has whetted his appetite to continue playing in England.

“It was obviously a disappointing result against Saracens in the cup but we are still hopeful that we can gain promotion,” added Fenemor, who is looking for a career in the sports science industry.

“That would be a great way to finish. I'm hoping that I can perhaps get a contract with another club at a higher level.

“I'm having a great time with Stowmarket though and it's going to be really hard to leave.”

What better way to sign off though than helping Stowmarket move up the rugby pyramid?