Match Report

Trowbridge returned to winning ways after their defeat against Oxford Harlequins, when they visited Sherborne on Saturday. The records of both clubs this season are similar and the clubs were only separated by points difference before the match.

Ollie Weaver kicked a penalty in the opening exchanges when Trowbridge had territorial advantage, but there were no more score as Sherborne defended well. In there almost only excursion into Trowbridge territory they scored a converted try but Trowbridge responded half way through the first half when Jack Davies forced his way over the line for a try after a period on the Sherborne line. It was converted by Weaver. Because the sides turned round at 10-7 to Trowbridge after they had the elements at their backs confidence was not great. Sherborne took the lead after kicking two penalties put them ahead, but Trowbridge responded with two tries within a couple of minutes from centres Nigel Kershaw and Ollie Weaver. One was converted by Weaver. This put Trowbridge in a relatively comfortable position as there seemed to be no real threat from the home side. However, this changed as the Sherborne duo of skipper Jones and Gary O’Loughlin almost single handed repelled Trowbridge progress and in an isolated attack into the Trowbridge 22 O’Loughlin scored a try which was converted. Just after that score Trowbridge introduced Jordan Chidlow for his debut at full back and immediate he took a good catch from a Sherborne kick ahead but was tackled in the air. From the penalty Trowbridge played the remaining 15 minutes in the Sherborne half and there was no danger.

They introduced second row Tom Davies who impressed towards the end, and flanker Angus Lean who has joined the club from Second tier Scottish club Dumfries was also prominent. Trowbridge moved past Sherborne in the league with this win. Having played against Newbury, Marlborough and Oxford Harlequins there fixtures seem less onerous with the prospect of playing Witney and Windsor in their next matches, but there records against these clubs are not good despite their league positions this season . The pleasing thing about recent close results is that Trowbridge have managed to win games they might have lost at previous times.