TROWBRIDGE COMPLETE LEAGUE DOUBLE OVER CHIPPENHAM

To someone looking for post sporting Christmas entertainment you could not have done better than to go the Doric Park on Saturday to see the renewed rivalry of Wiltshire rugby clubs Trowbridge and Chippenham. After many years of Chippenham domination, Trowbridge gained a home win in the season before COVID came and they gained a win at Chippenham at the beginning of this season amidst claims that this only happened because they had recruited Samoan international Alafoti Fa'osiliva for their win at Allington Fields. Since then the Samoan has transferred to play at Chippenham and Trowbridge supporters have been waiting to see if this change would affect the balance of power between the two clubs.

The Trowbridge team has changed significantly this season. Only James Macfarlane, Tom Weaver and Ashley Chalk remain from the Intermediate Cup winning side of 2014, although James Davies was recalled for this match after recent signing full back Ethan Hutt had succumbed to Covid and Lewis Jordan and Ollie Weaver were also unavailable.

Trowbridge introduced Jordan Gott, at centre, who has had experience at National League level, and ex Devizes & North Petherton centre Charlie Green, and benefited from a return of Zak Harvey, after a spell playing for Bristol National League side Dings Crusaders.

The match started in reasonable, but gloomy conditions, but deteriorated as the match progressed. Trowbridge scored three tries in the first quarter of an hour. Fly half Tom Weaver and centre Jordan Gott swapped positions at an attacking maul and the debutant broke free before feeding Weaver who dived over the line to score, before converting. Centre Nigel Kershaw then made an excellent break after recovering a loose ball around 30 metres out and outpacing the defence to score in the corner. He repeated this within minutes but this time he scored under the posts. The ball was moved quickly to the outside channels where hooker Luke Guffick had the presence of mind to make a deft kick behind the defence that Kershaw chased, regathered and made the score. Weaver converted both tries and Trowbridge were 21 points clear.

Chippenham managed to gain more possession as play progressed and Trowbridge with a comfortable lead may have relaxed as they conceded penalties at breakdowns, but most of the play remained in Chippenham territory. Trowbridge increased their lead with a Tom Weaver penalty before the break to make the score 24-0, but they knew that the elements would favour the visitors in the second half. A high tackle from Zak Harvey resulting in a yellow card, just before the break meant Trowbridge started the second half a player short.

Chippenham started the second half on top. With the extra player they pressed and from an attacking line out their forwards forced their way over for a converted try. 24-7 at that point. Soon after a Trowbridge attack resulted in a penalty which Weaver kicked, but the Chippenham forwards continued to dominate. Midway through the half, second row Luke Moore was sin binned while Chippenham attacked and Fa'osiliva forced his way over from a try after breaking from the base of the scrum. The conversion failed but a third try resulted within minutes. Two scores were then required to win the game in the remaining 10 minutes, but Trowbridge managed to keep play in their opponents half and their lead was not really threatened in this period.

So Trowbridge managed to achieve a rare double over Chippenham and remain secure in Fifth place. They now have the chance to consolidate when they travel to Frome before hosting fellow strugglers Grove. The second team regained top spot in Dorset And Wilts 1 North when they overcame neighbours Frome 2nds with a 19-15 win at Gypsy Lane on Saturday. This may put them in line for a Southern League South place when the leagues are reorganised next season and second teams are allowed to progress to level 7.