Fill in the blank (_) in the following sentence from the following choices.
Sentence: In order to clean his mess, the boy brought napkins and towels. However, the _ were too strong.

Choice 1: In order to clean his mess, the boy brought napkins and towels. However, the napkins were too strong.
Choice 2: In order to clean his mess, the boy brought napkins and towels. However, the towels were too strong.
Which of the choices is correct? Respond with only "1" or "2" and no additional text.
2
2. The towels were too strong.