It was always going to be a tough away fixture, against a team well established in this league and it turned out to be the proverbial game of two halves after a shocking first half from Tows was followed by a spirited fightback.

Nothing went right for Tows against a well drilled Old Hales side determined to set the record straight after they were beaten by Nuneaton the previous week, the home sides size advantage in the pack led to pressure in the scrum resulting in the opening try, converted after 15 minutes, Tows were competing but after fielding an aimless Old Hales kick, Tows full back Matt Yuill, took too long to clear and was charged down, the home side going over to extend the lead to 12 - 0

Tows fought back and a 20 yard forward drive split the home pack and prop Peter Gowler went over to get the Tows back in the game but a yellow card for Nicky Blackham in the back row soon after was punished as the home side slotted a penalty, with Tows usually reliable kicking game struggling, Tows again found themselves conceding a very kickable penalty and the deficit was extended to 18 - 5, now full of confidence Old Halesonians produced the moment of the game, running the ball back straight from the kick off to score out wide, Tows went down to 13 men after another Yellow card this time to Matt Bodily, in a game which did not warrant card waving, backs to the wall Tows held out the half to turn around 23 - 5 behind

Tows started the 2nd half brightly and with more confidence, James Hale broke through to be held up just short of the line with Yuill slotting the resulting penalty, Halesonians responded with a try to secure the bonus point but it would be their last points of the game as Tows started to dominate, Craig Holton went over with 15 minutes to go to close the gap to 30 - 13, James Hale again went close, unable to ground the ball over the line twice, before finally being rewarded with a score under the posts for Yuill to convert for a final score of 30 - 20 to Old Halesonians

Commenting after the game Director of Rugby, Robbie George, saw the positives in a game that finished with Tows completely dominant "We started poorly against a very physical side, and probably showed them too much respect along with some unnecessary unforced errors, the response from the players after the break was great, getting us right back into it and it was disappointing in the end not to come away with a bonus point"

Next week the Towcestrians 1st XV are at Home to Bridgnorth, 3pm KO

Towcestrians 2nd XV also travelled to Halesonians 2nds and showed the Tows strength in depth, routing the home side, 15 - 69, elsewhere Tows 3rd XV "The Ultimates" saw off Buckingham 2nds in impressive fashion 44 - 17 and Tows Colts won their Cup game away at Market Bosworth 3 - 10