With Ben Nichols moved to fly half Tows started the match the brighter, looking dangerous as they opened up the Kettering defence only to be let down by pour hands at the last. Tows came away with two James Falvey penalties for their efforts.
Gradually, in front of their faithful home crowd, Kettering pulled themselves in to the game.
The loss of scrum half Stocks to Tows first yellow card for verbal objection to his ‘Obstruction’, marked the start of Tows decline in discipline towards the referee Steve Oliver.
Kettering regained parity with two penalties of their own before half time.
After the break Tows’ belligerence continued with a string of penalties given against them one of which was converted by the hosts to see them take the lead.
At last Tows put together a successful move from a scrum for Falvey to score wide out and convert from the touch line.
This caused Kettering to turn on the pressure which resulted in a try.
Chrissie George grabbed Tows second yellow card of the game, Kettering kicking the ball in to touch and scoring from the line out. The hosts led 19-13.
With Tows frustration at boiling point, they went down to thirteen men. The resulting penalty nudged successfully to add to Tows woes in this out of character performance.
At last the thirteen men side combined to drive the home side back for a Zak Osborne try which also gave Tows a losing bonus point.
During the coming week Tows must focus on the pressure they put themselves under, by conceding penalties and their reaction to them before the next match at Greens Norton Road against Market Rasen KO 15:00.