Match report courtesy of Alistair Morrison
Old Centralians 12 Trowbridge 23

Trowbridge traveled to Gloucester on Saturday to play Old Centralians, who they have never beaten. They were without the unavailable Ben Mallett and also second row Gareth Davis, with Dan Bowden being recalled. Prop Jack Davies red card last week was rescinded during the week when the video confirmed he’d was dismissed in error so he was allowed to play. He was prominent, especially in the first half as Trowbridge made ground.

Neither side gained the upper hand in the early stages but play was mainly in the Centralians territory. It was not until the half hour that the defences were broken when after the home side conceded a penalty on the ten metre line, a kick to the corner resulted in a line out won by Trowbridge. It was driven towards the home line and Kyle Oakley broke off the maul to opened the scoring with a try and skipper for the day Tom Weaver converted. Soon after Weaver kicked a penalty from 40 metres and the teams turned round with the score 10-0. However just being the break Trowbridge centre Ali Frost was yellow carded for a high tackle.

The kick off in the second half was knocked on by Trowbridge and from the scrum the Gloucester side took advantage of the extra number by running from the scrum. Centre Solomon Farrer opened a space to go over for the hosts first score, an unconverted try. Centralians pressed further but the Trowbridge defence prevented any further scores. Trowbridge returned to the attack and Weaver kicked two penalties, but a third attempt fell just short. A Gloucester side attack ended in the corner and their pressure told when replacement Thomas Darby crossed. This time centre Dan Tyler converted. This took them to within a single score, but Trowbridge held firm in the closing stages. Cents wing Jevan Brown was yellow carded after speaking out of return to the referee and Trowbridge scored in the final minutes when an attack was finished by replacement Alex Murchison who scored under the posts. Weaver converted but was then yellow carded for a deliberate knock in the last minute.

This was a morale boosting win as the Doric Park have not often beaten one of the top sides in the league. They host bottom side Swindon next week before preparing for the more challenging task of playing local rivals Chippenham who knocked league leaders Drybrook of their perch with a 64-24 away win. Trowbridge returned to third place with this win.

Head Coach Ali Lund said "I was over the moon to secure a win against such a good side as Old Centralians. We have had many good battles with them over the years but we have never been able to come out on top. The side is growing in confidence and players know their performance level has to be high with so many players in the 2nd team performing so well. The team managed the game well playing the majority of the game deep in Old Cents territory and when they needed to the lads defended with a real passion and resilience".