Perhaps showing the pressure of sitting top of the league, Towcestrians struggled against a Reading side fighting relegation, although at times it was difficult to tell who was where in the league, it took the experience and influence of veteran back rower Liam Wilkinson and returning replacement Dave Stocks to show the young Tows team just what was required to win ugly, in a poor display from the usually flowing Tows, Wilkinsons tough tackling and ball carrying gave the team the lift they needed and Stocks as ever using his opportunism and edge to see the Tows secure a bonus point in a game in which Reading threw everything at the table toppers.

Tows started brightly with Winger Alex Chalcraft crossing for the first try, James Falvey adding the extras, but after going close on several more occasions the Tows team sat back and invited pressure from the home side, a Penalty followed by a converted try from their left winger lifted the home crowd and saw them into the lead, Tows regained some control when scrum half Murray Aitchison darted over from the 22 following a series of forward drives for a half-time scoreline of 10 - 14

A roasting from the Tows coaching team at the break seemed to have the desired effect with Tows running the ball strongly, Wilkinson to the fore, not for the first time poor hands in the backs, however, let the Tows down and after stopping following a knock on the Reading centre kicked through and chased for the line, only narrowly beaten to the touchdown by the covering Tows wing Alex Chalcraft, Tows poor discipline continued and penalties allowed Reading to regain the lead with two out of three successful attempts at goal

With Tows trailing a change was needed and Dave Stocks came on at Scrum half with Aitchison moving to the centre, Stocks soon showed his awareness, running a penalty to score and straight from the kick off Tows ran the ball back, Ben Roe broke the line and found the much faster Tows no.14, Chalcraft, on the outside to score his second, Falvey converting the bonus point try to win 16 -28

Wilkinson's recent performances could be down to his improved fitness as he prepares for this years London Marathon, the Tows backrower will be running with Towcestrians clubmate, Richard Carter, and two more friends for the charity Action on Pre-eclampsia, for more information and if you would like to support the boys in their quest to raise £8000 please follow this link www.justgiving.com/richardcarter17

Despite the poor performance Tows increased their lead at the top to 13 points thanks to the Bonus point, Tows squad will be tested this week, on Saturday the 1st XV are in Alliance Cup action and face Daventry at Home, 2:15pm Kick off, before that, however, a strong Lewis Shield team is playing on Tuesday night at local rivals Old Scouts, 7:30pm Kick off

Towcestrians 2nd XV slipped to only their 2nd defeat of the season, going down at home 12 - 31 to Hinckley and the 3rd XV narrowly beat Long Buckby 2nd XV away 12 - 17 , Tows Colts were also victorious 5 - 22 away at Olney