Towcestrians slipped to a narrow home defeat at the hands of Sidcup to finally confirm what the Club had known for some time, that the stay in London Premier Division would only be for a single season, yet again Tows showed fighting spirit and determination against a more powerful side and came up just short in front a few hardy souls braving the Arctic like weather conditions.
Playing into the snow laden wind in the first half it was Tows who started brighter, denying Sidcup possession for long periods, but unable to make any real headway against a solid and well organised defence, when Sidcup did have the ball they made Tows pay, running in a try after some good hands, converted to take a 0 - 7 lead. Tows responded well though, Ronnie Speakman finding a hole to run in under the sticks to level things up after James Falvey converted, it was Sidcup who went over next after some robust forward pick and go's created some space out wide and with the kick missed Tows trailled 7 - 12 into the fierce weather. A yellow card for Sidcup gave Tows yet more possession but it was Sidcup who managed to score on the stroke of halftime with a well worked drive from a penalty line-out to extend their lead, despite that the small but vocal home support were encouraged that with the elements Tows could overturn the 7 - 19 lead.
Sidcup soon silenced the crowd with their bonus point try, Tows again responded with a well worked try, young srum-half Ben Barwell made a break taken on by Matt Bodily and finished by Pepe Nanci, but Sidcup's superior firepower up front gave them front foot ball and allowed them to create two more tries before the end, Tows had the last word and again showed great spirit, as they have all season, when James Falvey stretched over for a final try.
Despite a very difficult season Tows players and coaches can hold their heads high knowing they have competed at a level much higher than the equivalent Midlands Premier League region, which they moved across from last year, the London area is awash with big budgets, benefactors and large catchment areas, Tows will always stick to its core principals of being a community club who develops its own players and will play at the highest level it can with those players, whatever that level may be.
It's still unclear if Tows will finally return to Midlands One next year, after a 5 year absence, and may end up back in South West One, the league in which they got promoted from to join the Premier level.
The first team squad can now look forward to another Home league fixture against Guildford on Saturday at 3pm and of course the weather affected Alliance Cup Semi-Final against Bugbrooke which needs to be re-arranged.