Towcestrians pre-season hard work paid off in this battle of the newly promoted teams as they came from behind to see off a determined Bedford Athletic side who were Midlands 1 champions last season.

A nervous and tentative start from Towcestrians as they sounded out the opposition in the opening minutes, taking time to aclimatize to the pace and pressure at National League 3, playing with much more confidence and with a strong wind behind them Athletic pinned the Tows back from the start and only resolute defence kept the visitors out, but after 15 minutes of continuous pressure the line was breached by the Bedford Athletic wing forward, Jake Foster, converted by Fly Half Mortimer for a 0 - 7 lead

Towcestrians poor handling and penalty count put them on the back foot again and with Athletics tactical kicking Tows struggled to get into the game, a second try came from the Bedford winger, Woodhead, again converted by Mortimer and Tows found themselves 0 - 14 down with a third of the game gone

Tows finally got some front foot ball, great work from Hooker, Fen Gallagher, breaking tackles to release Keiran Frost, with Tows gaining belief, the pack drove the excellent Jamie Warr over between the posts, converted by Ben Roe to cut the deficit to seven points, with Tows now looking to run the ball, a quickly taken tap penalty was illegally halted by an Ath front rower who was carded and sent to the bin, Tows took advantage and skipper Zac Osborne was driven over for Tows to turn around with the wind just 12 - 14 down

Now it was Tows turn to use the elements to their advantage, a stolen scrum ball and quick pass found Alex Chalcraft coming in off his wing to score and get his season up and running, the conversion from Roe saw Tows 19 - 14 ahead, although pressing for the remainder of the game Tows failed to find the bonus point and although they controlled territory, Bedford Ath always looked capable of a breakout try and the final whistle came as much as relief as anything else, special mention for the excellent Towcestrians back row and Man of the Match, No. 8 Craig Holton.

After the game Director of Rugby, Robbie George, commented "The first quarter was tentative and full of mistakes, which gave them the ball and they rightly punished us, but once we settled down we kept the ball well and were able to go through the phases, the self belief came and we looked like our old selves, it was a big day for the squad in the new league and we're delighted with how the boys responded"

Next weeks away game against Nuneaton has been switched to Towcestrians at Nuneatons request

Towcestrians 2nd XV also playing in a new league after choosing to play only National League 2nd teams, went down to a strong Hinckley side 24 - 10, while the 3rd's kicked off with a friendly win against Winslow 7 - 37 in preparation for their first league game against ON's 2nd team next week, the Colts lost to Buckingham away.