This was Trowbridge’s first visit to the Gloucester club since the 1970s and they boasted a proud record of being unbeaten at home for four seasons. In that time they had achieved two promotions and are the reigning Papa John Cup winners for their league last season.

Trowbridge were still without injured skipper Ethan Hutt and wing Alex Christopher and prop Jack Davies withdrew on the day of the match to be replaced by Luke Love.

Both sides started with the intention of taking lumps out of each other and this remained through the match. It made for an entertaining match between two committed sides. Trowbridge scored first when a gap was created for wing Oakley Milton to race over in the corner at 8 minutes for a try and soon after Trowbridge pressure ended with a scrum in the corner where skipper and No 8 Rory Murchison forced his way over for a try. Tom Weaver converted. The Gloucester side were kept at bay at this time but as the half progressed they came more into the match. Their forwards and backs showed why their record has been so good of late. Most of their attacks were directed through their impressive fly half James Butler, and after a period where they were unable to penetrate the Trowbridge defence they managed to break through in the last few minutes of the first half with a brace of tries from their speedy left winger Mike Yorke and a third from replacement Freddie McGhee. Scrum half Bradley Wilkins kicked a conversion.

With these quick scores, the writing appeared to be on the wall for Trowbridge at the interval, but they came out fighting and soon after the restart a long kick ahead was contested by Milton and a home defender and the ball went free. Alex Murchison, leading the chasing group, gathered the loose ball and went over unopposed to score. Tom Weaver’s touch line conversion regained the lead for Trowbridge at 19-17. Trowbridge’s speed to the breakdowns helped them gain the initiative and this forced mistakes to be made. Longlevens conceded two penalties and the reliable Weaver was allowed to squeeze Trowbridge further ahead by a further 6 points. There were moments of danger, in particular when Butler broke through and pass to his centre who looked to race in unopposed on the right, but Trowbridge’s ring wing Joe Martindale crossed from the opposite wing and caught him with an excellent tackle 10 metres out. The ball went to ground and the chance was gone.

It is these small changes that affect the course of matches, and it buoyed up the Trowbridge side to win the 50-50 chances that came their way. A line out was won before Alex Murchison broke though the centre and fed the ball to full back James MacFarlane, who ran in from 30 metres out. This meant Trowbridge were three scores ahead and it decided the match despite Longlevens scoring a converted try to complete the scoring.

This was Trowbridge’s best performance of the season and it was clear that they wanted the result more than their opponents. The Gloucester team were excellent hosts and we shall look forward to hosting them in a few weeks time. But Trowbridge should not be complacent. Today they respected their opponents and showed a steely determination to succeed. They won because they competed for every ball. They were not perfect in their application but their never say die attitude will benefit them as they move forward to the big challenges ahead.

Player of the match sponsored by Plumbase was awarded to fly half Tom Weaver who was once again excellent off the kicking tee.

Head Coach Ali Lund said "We knew coming here would be a massive challenge, it is a fortress for them and someone said they have won 63 consecutive home games which is a tremendous achievement. But today, the boys showed heart, discipline and belief in each other and our plans. They left everything on the pitch and proved what we're capable of as a team. Beating a side of this quality on their home turf is something special, and we'll savor it, but there are plenty of challenges ahead for the remainder of the season which we will look forward to".

Next week Trowbridge travel to struggling Swindon.