Comfortable win for Trowbridge after even first half

This was Trowbridge last match before the Christmas break against neighbours Devizes who were making their first visit to Doric Park. The Saddlebacks have been struggling recently, Having lost their previous eight league matches they are in a relegation position, but league position often counts for nothing in local derbies. A competitive match was expected as there are no easy matches at this level.

Playing against the wind in the first half the Doric Park side played a containing game playing up the middle of the pitch using their forwards. They had the upper hand in the scrums, several times pushing their opponents off the ball and their line out was much improved from some recent performances. On the other hand, Devizes made progress with some excellent kicking from hand by their fly half Andy Thompson. However both sides were guilty of making handling errors, though this often came from good defence and pressure from their opponents.

The first score came after Trowbridge won the ball after a Devizes scrum and moved the ball towards the Devizes line. After they knocked the ball on by the Devizes line, they disrupted the resulting scrum and when the ball squirted out, scrum half George Leat pounced on the ball for a try to put the home side 5-0 up after 19 minutes. Soon after Rory Brown opened Devizes' account with a penalty when Trowbridge were caught offside and there was an exchange of penalties between Lloyd Davis and Brown before the interval which left the match finely poised at 8-6 at half time, though Devizes No 8 Craig Bryant was yellow carded when the Trowbridge penalty was awarded for preventing release of the ball.

Although Trowbridge were not at their best at this stage, they would have been reasonably happy with the position as they still had to play with the wind and down the Doric Park slope in the second half.

Trowbridge changed their approach in the second half, and their expansive game was soon rewarded after breaks from Alan Chadwick and Dave Finlay when James Davies went over for a try that skipper Lloyd Davis converted, but Devizes almost immediately countered when right wing Chris Barter beat the Trowbridge defence and passed inside for full back Luke Rapson to score. Rory Brown converted to bring the score to 15-13 in Trowbridge's favour.

From this point Trowbridge took control. In the 52nd minute Davis extended Trowbridge's lead with a penalty and Adam Sullivan went over after an excellent move, only to be brought back for obstruction by referee Mark Lenton-Jinks who controlled the match well. Lee Fairclough, Ashley Chalk and Barry Coombs added tries in the final quarter and all were converted by Davis, the last conversion being a magnificent kick from the right touchline.

Devizes held out for the remaining 10 minutes, but Trowbridge have gained a bonus point win to stay in 7th place while Buckingham's win at Bletchley after losing to Trowbridge last week meant that the Saddlebacks are now in 13th place. Leaders Chippenham won at Windsor while Towcestrians just defeated Trowbridge's next opponents Grove (3rd January) by a 20-19 score. Swindon beat Leighton Buzzard and Witney beat Newbury Blues and Reading beat Maidenhead.