Towcestrians again left the field this week narrowly losing to Derby after another Jekyll and Hyde performance, last week at Sandbach they let a 22 point lead slip after a tremendous half of rugby and this week had to battle back from 22 points down after an abject first half.

Injuries through the week and the warm up withdrawal of lock Kieran Frost through illness rattled the Tows and they started nervously, an early penalty from George Castleding setting Derby on their way and with Namibian full back, McGrath Van Wyk, outpacing the Tows cover to score wide out gave the visitors even more confidence, converted by Castleding, a last gasp cover tackle by Chrissie George prevented a similar score in the same corner, generous defending by Tows allowed Derby winger, Wigglesworth, in for a try under the posts and worse was to come when a pick up from the base of a scrum 5 metres from thier own line saw the Tows stripped of the ball in the tackle for Derby lock, Donnelly, to walk over from close range, Tows turning round 22 points down and looking down the barrel of an embarrassingly big home defeat, Tows unable to cope with the Derby backline who were playing with pace and confidence.

Tows needed to show the fight and determination that has seen them off to a great start in this league and saw them win the league last year, and it was the pack who got Tows back into the game, with four changes from last weeks front five, they drove a 5m scrum backwards for no.8 Craig Holton to touch down, Ben Roe adding the extras, Derby responded with a try of their own, blind side Luke Frixou, going over again converted and the 22 point deficit was restored.

Tows refused to lay down and a series of drives with Matt Bodily, playing against Derby 10 years after memorably scoring 4 tries against them last time the sides met, and prop Peter Gowler to the fore, rocking Derby back, quick hands through the backs found Holton wide out to run in his second try of the afternoon, with Tows now on top, Sam Sturley was driven over from close range, Roe's conversion reducing the deficit to 10 points, with momentum on their side and fitness beginning to tell a petulant Yellow card for James Falvey was the last thing Tows needed, and with time running out of time a kick to the corner instead of a penalty shot was preferred and it proved the right decision as Tows drove prop Peter Gowler over for the try bonus and losing bonus points.

Despite the loss Tows remain joint 4th in the league after sides around them also struggled, there is no League Rugby next week as Tows begin the defence of the Lewis Shield away at Mens Own with a completely new side.

Tows 2nd XV battled back to a 22 all draw with Derby 2nd's, James Hale's last gasp hat-trick try giving Tows the share of the game and the Colts narrowly lost to Kettering away 24 - 22