They travelled to Derby short of several influential players and Derby’s backs and backrow handed out a salutary lesson in hard, angled running and support play.

Tows managed to just about hang on in the first half turning round 24-14 down but Derby cut loose in the second adding 45 points.

Derby looked sharp from the start and controlled possession from the breakdown while Tows struggled to keep up with pace of the game.

Two tries in quick succession from the Derby fly half provided the hosts with a perfect start but Matt Yuill helped to close the gap.

Yuill, playing at 10 rather than the usual 15, fielded his own kick ahead to put winger Dave Stocks away and then added the conversion.

Derby quickly hit back with another two tries, both scored as the result the host’s clinical line out drives.

Just before half time, Tows responded with a try through Richard Tustian and turned around just 24-14 down.

The two teams exchanged scores early in the second half, prop Sam Smith scoring from a push over try for Tows which Yuill converted.

But from there on in it was one way traffic. Tows fell off too many tackles and Derby’s hard running backs seemed to create overlaps at will, scoring five rapid fire tries.

Next week Tows entertain Nuneaton Old Edwardians at Greens Norton Road, and will be hoping to fare better against a side which has also just been promoted. (KO 3pm)