A repeat of last years final, this time at the quarter final stage and played under the lights at NSB last Tuesday night, saw Tows progress through to the semi-final in their defence of the Alliance Cup.

With both sides defences controlling any attacking ambition for the early part of the game, it took an ON's penalty to finally get the scoreboard ticking after 20 minutes, both sides then went close before Tows took a scrum option from a penalty and Tom Threlfall went over for the first try of the match, Ben Roe's conversion bouncing back off the posts. Tows finished the half the on top with several strong runs from no.8 Craig Holton, but Tows were unable to press home the advantage.

The second half was much more open, both sides looking to run the ball, spaces appeared and the game took on almost a 7's look, full back James Falvey inserted himself into the line to put winger Adam Wilkinson over for Tows second try, Roe adding the extras from the touchline, Tows pegged ON's back with some good tactical kicking before Roe added a penalty to see Tows into the semi's.