3rd defeat for Trowbridge in all Wiltshire Bath Combination Final

This was Trowbridge's best performance in the 3 matches this season against their Wiltshire rivals in a massively entertaining and committed Bath Combination Final at the Recreation Ground on Wednesday evening, but their performance was balanced by a powerful response in the second half from Chippenham after the Trowbridge forwards had dominated the first half and moved into a 16-7 lead before Lewis Surry kick a penalty with the last kick of the first half.

Trowbridge were without Shai Bonnick and Tom Coombs who had gone to Australia for the next year but welcomed Nicky Little back to competitive rugby for the first Time in nearly two seasons. The first quarter of an hour was spent in the Chippenham 22, and there defence was tested during this period, but Trowbridge only had a Lloyd Davis penalty to show for their efforts. Chippenham were then able to break out and they stretched the Trowbridge defence, but it was Trowbridge who were the next to score with outstanding scrum half Matt Johnson constantly being able to set his backs going. After James McFarlane almost went over on the right, the forwards maintained continuity and the move ended with flanker Adam Sulilivan forcing his way over for Lloyd Davis to convert. Chippenham came back instantly and their flanker Nicholas Aston forced his way over from a planned move off a 5 metre line out and Lewis Surry converted, but Trowbridge forwards continued to pressurise the North Wilts side and were rewarded with 2 penalties from Lloyd Davis before the final move of the half when Surry kicked a penalty from 30 metres out.

Trowbridge had the better of the forward exchanges and Chippenham's chances came generally from their dominance of the line outs, but they were not helped when some of their tactics were penalised by the interpretation of the excellent Somerset referee Nick Heath.

It appeared that the match was won and lost in the first few minutes of the second half. Chippenham came out with all guns blazing and forced Trowbridge on to the defensive. They threatened on the right and when James Davies attempted to intercept the move, he knocked on and was sent to the sin bin. Chippenham kicked for a line out from the penalty, and Aston scored a try with the same move as when he scored in the first half. Two more tries during Davies' absence came from their hooker and their Centre Chiverd and immediately the sin bin period was complete Aston completed his hat trick. Surprisingly none of these four tries were converted but Trowbridge were then in erreas by 30-16.

To their credit Trowbridge rallied in the last quarter and their backs created space for wing James McFarlane to outpace the Chippenham and run in from the half way lane. The try was not converted but this end to end match continued with a similarly spectacular try when Chippenham's influential No 8 Bobby Lyons finished a move in the right hand corner and replacement Sam Saunders converted. The final minutes were spent with Trowbridge on the offensive. They went close several times and eventually the referee awarded a try after consulted his touch judge when Adam Sullivan forced his way over, and Lloyd Davis converted. This was the last score as the referee blew for no side at the next breakdown.

This match was one of the best finals for several years, stated the Combination officials and a credit to both teams and junior rugby after Midsomer Norton defeated Old Sulians 39-7 in the earlier Vase final. The last few matches have also indicated that cover for the starting line up has improved greatly over the season, especially as there has been some turnover in personnel in the squad this season. Now a break until preparation starts for 2015/16 when opposition will include old rivals Swanage and Wareham, Salisbury and High Wycombe as well as Oxford Harlequins, who the club have not played before.