Trowbridge 2s V Warminster RFC Match Report

Warminster RFC VS Trowbridge 2’s

Score; 55-14

Venue; Folly Lane Warminster

Trowbridge 2’s travelled to Warminster RFC for the first competitive fixture since the 7th March 2020, the last time the two teams met each other Warminster came out the victors 65-17. These however were two very different looking teams.

Warminster spectators commented that a number of their players were new to the club, where the focus of the Trowbridge coaching staff lead by Ali Lund through out the COVID era has been to develop young players from within the club.

As the rain began to subside Trowbridge kicked off immediately pinning Warminster in to there own 22 a frantic first three minutes ended with Trowbridge forward Austin Reid scoring under the posts. However; this wasn’t the beginning of the white wash that some of the Warminster fans feared. Shortly following the restart a clearing kick by Warminster failed to be collected by Trowbridge winger Sam Stone allowing Warminster players to gather and score. GAME ON with only five minutes on the clock!

The next 8 minutes saw Trowbridge camped in the Warminster 22, some dogged defense by Warminster and a solid kicking display from Warminster 10 Jimmy Rees kept Trowbridge at bay until a moment of brilliance from Trowbridge captain and veteran James Marwick playing at 12 carved a course through the home defense from outside of the home 22 as the heavens opened once again was this the start of something from Trowbridge?

20 minutes in to the game and some slick hands see Sam Stone heading for a corner try only to be denied at the last second by some excellent last gasp defense from Warminster.

Undeterred the Trowbridge pack lead by outgoing Club Captain and Tight head Prop Henry Turner continued to hammer the Warminster try line, The Warminster defense held firm until Kyle Deadman dived over from short distance supported by hooker Luke Guffick through the fringe defense.

A solid restart from young Fly half Justin Avenell saw Trowbridge flanker Thomas Lane disrupt the Warminster line out and turn over possession, a groan from the home supporters as Trowbridge switched play from one side of the pitch to the other, was the score inevitable? NO! A missed chance by Trowbridge. Some strong phases by Warminster in the mid field, direct lines then shipping the ball wide through Reese Warminster came to life in the 37th minute a surging run through the midfield and an individual break, where was the Trowbridge tackle?!? Warminster score running through the Trowbridge team from the half way line, one for the video analysts to pick up on there! Turner rips in to the Trowbridge team as Reese Converts for Warminster.

A solid restart sees Trowbridge again on the attack in the Warminster half, can they score before half time or will the clock beat them? A sustained period of pressure see Kieran Edgar one of the stand out development players of the last year direct play wide for the overlap, looping passes from Luke Guffick and Will Stanton push the ball wide for Sam Stone to win the foot race to the corner, top class phases being played by Trowbridge on the stroke of half time.

But Trowbridge still weren’t done, the restart soon turned in to attack, James Davies a regular first team starter on the wing for Trowbridge in recent years with a surging run coming in from his wing, brought to the ground a few agonizing feet short of the line, a small pop to Trowbridge newcomer Will Gilder and he goes over for the try… surely its half time now!

Warminster with the restart in the now pouring rain defending with a renewed ferocity. Kane Bailey and Joe Honeywell feeling the full force of Warminster’s renewed vigor in the opening exchanges, as Trowbridge looked for a way out of their own half.

An escape route was provide moments later when Trowbridge Fly Half Justin Avenell Spotted an area of space wide outside the Warminster 22 which he targeted with a clever chip collected expertly by Phil Kilcoyne the Trowbridge 15. Kilcoyne renowned for his running skills on this occasion backed himself physically and steam rolled the Warminster 15 for the try just below the home crowd. James Davies Added the conversion.

The next ten minuets saw Warminster rally, regularly knocking on the door of the Trowbridge try line. An excellent spell of Trowbridge defense lead by a vocal Henry Turner held strong and Trowbridge were able to work their way back up the field.

Justin Avenell with a darting run following a period of alpha male man offing by both sets of forwards out side of the Warminster 22 provided Austin Reid with the chance to pick and go, Isolated as a forward he was held up short. Trowbridges' backs were up to the task of securing possession though with veteran Joe Knight holding off forward twice his size allowing Rhys Thomas and James Marwick to spread the ball wide to former Warminster player Kirk Warr to dive across the line. A highly satisfying moment for the newcomer to the jeers of the home fans.

As the game approached the 70 Minute mark both sets of forwards looked to be tiring an innocuous looking incident with Veteran Warminster tight head Matt Dunford refusing to hand the ball back while he returned to his feet after an infringement causing outrage to the less experienced members of the Trowbridge pack encouraging chants from the crowd of Fight Fight Fight undoubtedly resulted in both sides being re invigorated for the final ten minutes of the game!

Five minutes left on the clock and after a period of back and forth Trowbridge are back hammering on Warminster’s try line, Joe Knight Drives for the line but is held up by a forward that looks like Earth Quake from the WWF. Kyle Deadman takes up the charge and dives over from 2 meters out. Sam Stone misses the conversion.

Two minutes left to play and a Henry Turner Tackle results in a lost ball for Warminster, this is soon tidied up by Joe Knight, Rhys Thomas the Trowbridge 9 puts a booming kick up for Sam Stone to chase, Sam gets in behind the turning defense and expertly collects the ball on the bounce, crossing the line for his second try of the afternoon. His Sonic the Hedgehog hair cut helping him show a clean pair of heels on that occasion. James Marwick hitting the conversion against the referee.

The Final Whistle went following a final foray by Warminster in to the Trowbridge half bringing the curtain down on a positive restart to competitive rugby for the Trowbridge 2’s development squad.

A massive thanks to Warminster for hosting us and for providing such a combative fixture.

#SWAMPRATS