TROWBRIDGE MAKE IT 4 WINS IN A ROW WITH BONUS POINT WIN AT GROVE RFC

GROVE 7 TROWBRIDGE 35
Match Report by Alistair Morrison

Trowbridge had every right to be pessimistic about their chances in 2021-22 after finishing in a relegation position when lockdown hit to close the 2019-20 in March 2020. But the calculations to wind up the season with predicted results for the remaining matches meant that they escaped and Bristol Club Cleve were relegated because of Trowbridge’s superior record. The Trowbridge were then drawn to play Bracknell in their first match of this season’s campaign and were soundly beaten by Bracknell, relegated from South West Premier and now favourites to win the league after 5 rounds of matches.

Since then Trowbridge’s changed and young squad have regrouped. They have for the first time ever completed 4 level 6 wins in a row after their impressive result at Grove in terrible weather conditions on Saturday. It was also the first time they have returned victorious from promoted Grove.

Grove went straight into the attack and were immediately camped on the Trowbridge goal line for the opening exchanges, but the Trowbridge defence held firm. When Samoan international signing Alafoti Faosiliva seemed to break down with a muscle injury, things did not look good, but Trowbridge then turned defence into attack, and Faosiliva broke to the half way line. He kicked ahead, and flanker Alex Murchison won the chase to open the scoring with a try that Ollie Weaver converted. The Samoan then left the field, not to return, but psychologically this passage of play changed the course of the match. Trowbridge continued to attack and soon after new full back Ethan Hutt outpaced the Grove defence and was brought down by a high tackle as he was about to cross the line, but the referee awarded a penalty try. Trowbridge were 14 points clear in as many minutes.

The rest of the first half was more evenly contested with the Grove pack competing well, but Trowbridge did not allow the Grove backs the space to develop attacks. Flanker Andrew Twinney who has recently returned after a season long injury, played a prominent role, in thwarting Grove’s ambitions. Trowbridge scored again after half an hour when Hutt took advantage of the new 50-22 law allowing a team to retain possession to throw in at the line out, when they kicked from their own half into touch in the opposition 22. Trowbridge won the line out and the forwards rumbled over the line to score, with Rory Murchison gaining the touchdown. He then left the field with a bad cut before the interval to be replaced by Luke Guffick. Trowbridge’s performance was not affected by Faosiliva’s absence and replaced by lock Kyle Oakley with captain Max Day moving to number 8. At the interval Alex Murchison withdrew with a persistent injury but replaced by returning brother Rory and the enthusiastic Guffick stayed on. This exchange meant Trowbridge had a bare 15 fit players as James Davies also left the field to be replaced by another new signing Olly Shrubb on the right wing.

The wet conditions did not allow open rugby as conditions worsened and the packs cancelled each other out. There were some good phases, not least when Rory Murchison broke away midway through the half. He sold an outrageous dummy before passing to supporting centre Ollie Weaver who went over unopposed to gain the Bonus point try which he converted himself. Conditions brought some handling mistakes and both sides became frustrated and confused by some curious decisions by the referee. At one point he could not get the front rows to co-operate when the scrums were engaging. Nigel Kershaw and skipper Max Day were issued yellow cards for ‘persistent infringements’. Day departed when the Grove forwards forced their way over and were awarded a penalty try. It appeared he had taken the offence ‘for the team’.

However Trowbridge domination of the game was not threatened by the absence of these two players and just before the final whistle Rory Murchison scored a second try after a goal line drop out was collected by Trowbridge and forced a penalty five yards out.

Second Row Gareth Davis took the Man of the match, a tribute to his improving performances over a long period of recovery since a serious injury a few years ago.

Director of Rugby Ali Lund was pleased with the overall performance but the team will now need to respond to the greater challenges from the opposition they face in the next few weeks starting with a home match with Newbury Blues who edged a win over Sherborne on Saturday. This will be a good indicator towards the result of this match as Sherborne and Trowbridge fixtures have so far mirrored each other since Trowbridge’s the opening match with Bracknell. The spirit of this much changed squad has also been an indicator of their much changed prospects.

Trowbridge 2nd and 3rd teams also won league matches at the weekend against Frome 2nds and Coombe Down 2nds and indications are that resources are developing to allow the first team to cope with any injuries sustained for later matches.