They suffered an early setback when Matlock winger Henry Padsey chased a kick ahead to touch down in the corner.

James Maceral converted the try from the touchline but Tows forwards gradually got the upper hand and struck twice to seize back the advantage.

First hooker Richard Tustian finished a line out drive then the mighty Zac Osborne followed suit moments later. Neither try was converted.

Matlock made every effort to get back into the game but their attempts floundered on the tackling from Tows, particularly from skipper Marc Yeates at No 10.

Moving the ball downfield, Matlock enjoyed their best period of the first half battering the Tows line.

But they allowed the ball to be turned over and Tows ran out of defence, moving the ball through the hands, for No 8 Craig Holton to score under the posts.

Full back Matthew Yuill converted and with the first half not yet over, Tows led 7-17 but the hosts were in no mood to give up.

Tows forwards rumbled downfield but a chip ahead proved to be the wrong option. It was collected by Matlock’s speedster Padsey who ran the length of the pitch to score.

Maceral landed the conversion and despite being in charge of the game, Tows turned round at half time just 14-17 up at.

Both sides battered each other in an attempt to dominate the third quarter but it was Tows who eventually gained the upper hand.

The Tows pack drove a scrum back over the Matlock line saw scrum half Dave Stocks touch down, with Yuill converting.

The try seemed to sap the Matlock morale and Yuill completed the crucial win with a penalty and a drop goal.