Trowbridge 50 - Chew Valley 21

TROWBRIDGE MAINTAIN 100% RECORD IN FIRST MATCH AGAINST CHEW VALLEY

Trowbridge have never met Chew Valley at any level before despite the clubs only being about 25 miles apart. One of the few measures they could take was the Somerset side’s play off win against Chippenham three days after Trowbridge’s win in the Bath Combination Cup at the end of last season. Hooker Rhys Redman returned for his first start this season in the absence of Alex Chalmers, while Ryan Lech returned from Army duties to replace the unavailable Harry Fraser. Archie Robinson moved to the centre for the injured skipper Ethan Hutt and summer signing Billy Coombs made his first league appearance from the bench.

Trowbridge were soon on the attack and Lech crossed the line to open the scoring with a try after five minutes. This was converted by Tom Weaver before prop Jaden Ephgrave forced his way over five minutes later. Chew responded with a try with their coach Ash Groves at fly half releasing his backs and flanker Harry Hellier crossing on 20 minutes. Groves converted. Trowbridge’s influential No 8 Kacey Pike was yellow carded soon after but the hosts coped with the reduced numbers as Ben Mallett crossed soon before the break, but as the visitors pressed at the restart, Trowbridge wing Oakley Milton intercepted a pass in the visitors next attack and ran the length of the field to score and Weaver converted and Trowbridge had a bonus point. The sides turned round with a 22-7 score in Trowbridge’s favour.

Soon into the second half Trowbridge were further ahead as centre Archie Robinson crossed and Pike also scored and Trowbridge were comfortably ahead. chew needed 5 scores to catch them at this point. Both defences were making big hits and the Bristol referee was penalising both sides. Chew replacement Charlie Phiĺlips and full back Zachery Philips scored tries converted by Grove while Weaver and fullback Jack Connor spent 10 minutes in the single bin before a Chew replacement was red carded soon after. Pike scored a try with 5 minutes remaining, converted by full back Alex Kilbane as Weaver had withdrawn and with the last move of the game replacement wing Billy Coombs ran in from the ten metre line to score a try just after he had come on as a replacement for Milton to make his debut.

In the end this was a comfortable victory before Trowbridge meet more highly placed Royal Wootton Bassett at Ballards Ash next week, but they must be aware that they have to face some difficult opponents in the next few matches. Brixham moves into second place ahead of Royal Wootton Bassett, before hosting Devonshire side Sidmouth at Doric Park on 1st November for the first time.