Trowbridge win on the south coast

Trowbridge went into this match looking to maintain the form demonstrated against High Wycombe and in what seems to be the norm for them, they got off to a slow start with the Trowbridge backs being caught offside after 2 minutes. Phil Graves missed the kick and Mr. Allan restarted play. From the off the Swans pack seemed to have the upper hand, turning the ball over in rucks and mauls making life very difficult for the visitors. What was obvious was that the visitors had the better set of backs and they showed this when Joe Knight broke through the Swans defensive line with a 40 metre break, drew the full back and put winger George Fowles in for a score wide out. Lloyd Davis was unable to convert (0-5). From the restart Trowbridge were once again caught offside and this time Phil Graves made no mistake with the penalty (3-5)

Once again Trowbridge found themselves on the back foot and a catch and drive from the Swans forwards resulted in a score from Will Corsie converted by Phil Graves (10-5). Swans were now playing with more confidence and spread the ball wide, but in doing so they left themselves exposed and from turnover ball, Ashley Clalk was given a clear run in to score under the posts. Lloyd Davis added the extras (10-12). With the Trowbridge defence holding out wide, Swans adjusted their line of attack. Keeping the ball in their forwards and picking and driving into the Trowbridge 22 hooker Rob Elford scored and Phil Graves converted to give them a 17-12 lead at the break.

Swans got the second half under way with a long kick for their pack to chase and this gave time for the Trowbridge pack to form a spearhead lead by youngster Gareth Davis, taking the ball into contact and setting up a rolling maul forcing their way up the pitch. This seemed to drain the home forwards and they seemed to run out of steam. the Trowbridge forwards forced their way into the Swans 22. They then spread the ball wide giving an easy second try to George Fowles. Lloyd Davis was unlucky to miss the conversion from an acute angle (17-17). With the scores level the visitors upped the tempo and started to play some flowing rugby, stretching the home defence until winger Nicky Litttle ran in to score under the posts giving Lloyd Davis an easy conversion (17-24). Into the last quarter Trowbridge continued to force Swans to defend for the final moments of the game and Ashley Chalk made a break through to score his second try under the posts and Lloyd Davis added the final 2 points (17-31)

Trowbridge's league position did not change as a result of this win but it does put them in striking distance to the team's above them with the 5th place team only a bonus point wain above them. They continue with a home fixture against Oxfordshire based Grove on 24th October