On a bright, sunny day with the pitch firm and fast, Trowbridge RFC secured a hard-fought victory over first time visitors Longlevens from Gloucester, winning 29-19 in a match that showcased attacking flair, some individual brilliance, and not one but two spirited second half comebacks.

First Half: Longlevens Hold the Advantage

The match kicked off with both teams eager to assert their dominance, but it was Longlevens who settled quicker into their rhythm. Despite Trowbridge’s early possession, Longlevens were able to exert pressure, particularly through the boot of their full back, Bradley Wilkins. His accurate kicking game kept Trowbridge on the back foot, and within the first 20 minutes, Wilkins had slotted three successful penalties to give Longlevens a 9-0 lead.

Trowbridge’s defence held firm throughout the early exchanges, but their attacking opportunities were limited, unable to break down a well organised Longlevens defensive line. However, midway through the half, Trowbridge managed to get themselves on the scoreboard. A miss pass from Trowbridge centre Alex Murchison was latched onto by left-wing Alex Christopher. The quick-thinking Christopher seized the opportunity and sprinted down the left wing to score a try in the corner, giving Trowbridge a well-deserved try. Fly-half Archie Robertson missed the conversion, meaning Trowbridge trailed 9-5 at the break, but they were certainly not out of the contest.

Second Half: Trowbridge Turn the Tide

The second half began with a revitalised Trowbridge side determined to make up for their first-half deficit. Within just 10 minutes of the restart, the home side took the lead for the first time in the match. A powerful lineout drive near the Longlevens 22 saw flanker Andrew Twinney take control. Using his upper body strength, Twinney drove over the line for the try, driving through Longlevens defenders to score near the posts. Robertson made no mistake with the conversion, putting Trowbridge ahead for the first time in the match 12-9.
The next score came just minutes later, and it was a moment of individual brilliance from Trowbridge full-back James Macfarlane, who was playing his final home game before retirement. Receiving the ball from the kick-off, Macfarlane spotted a gap in the defensive line and deftly sidestepped through it. As he approached the covering defenders, Macfarlane chipped the ball ahead, regathered it beautifully, and dotted down under the posts. Robertson’s conversion put Trowbridge 19-9 up, a crucial 10-point buffer that shifted the momentum firmly in their favour.

Longlevens, although still dangerous in attack, struggled to regain the composure they had shown in the first half. Trowbridge’s defence was resolute, and with every breakdown and set piece, they gained confidence. The home side continued to press their advantage, and their four try came from a clever piece of play by scrum-half Harrison Wall. From a ruck in the Longlevens half, Wall spotted space to the blindside and quickly fed right wing Joe Martindale. Martindale, with a deft turn of pace, took advantage of a gap in the defence and sprinted down the touchline to score in the corner. Once again, Robertson added the conversion, extending the lead to 26-9.

Closing Stages

With the scoreline at 26-9, Trowbridge looked to close out the game with confidence. However, Longlevens were not finished yet and after a period of sustained pressure at the Trowbridge line the ball was fed to winger Jake Fox who dotted down on the left touchline. The conversion was missed but they momentum of the match had once again shifted. Longlevens were determined to bring themselves back into the contest and started playing some enterprising rugby from deep in their own half, the ball was fed through the legs of a player and out to speedy winger Fox who just kept on the field to sprint away for an excellent team try under the posts which was duly converted by Wilkins to pull the score back to 26-19.

In the final minutes, and Longlevens sensing an unlikely comeback captain Rory Murchison called up 18-year-old right wing Joe Martindale to take a shot at goal from the 10 metre line to take the lead beyond 7 points and require two scores from Longlevens. It was not a surprise to the Trowbridge faithful to see the confidence of Martindale to slot the tricky kick as he has demonstrated all season what an exceptional talent he is. This was Joe’s last game for the club before departing on travels in Australia before taking up a place on a rugby scholarship at university in America.

Conclusion

Trowbridge’s 29-19 victory was a deserved one, particularly after a dominant second-half performance. The turning point in the game came shortly after the break when they scored three tries in quick succession, turning a narrow deficit into a commanding lead. The stand-out performances came from Player of the Match James Macfarlane, who scored a crucial try and tested the opposition defence all game, and wing, Joe Martindale who’s excellent try and composed penalty kick will be remembered by the home crowd as a fitting farewell.
Longlevens may be disappointed with their second-half performance, but they fought valiantly in the first period and showed moments of quality throughout the game. Fly-half James Butler was instrumental in their attack, but it was Trowbridge’s greater physicality and clinical finishing in the second half that ultimately proved decisive.
As the final whistle blew, Trowbridge celebrated a well-earned victory, while Longlevens, though defeated, could hold their heads high for their spirited display. The match was a fitting testament to Trowbridge's resilience and determination, while Longlevens will no doubt learn from the experience as they move forward.

Head Coach Ali Lund said "That was a huge win for us today, especially after the tough loss on Wednesday night against Chippenham in the Bath Combination Cup. The boys were physically and emotionally drained, but their determination to finish strong for two key players, James Macfarlane and Joe Martindale, really drove them forward. James is retiring, and Joe is off traveling soon, so it was important for the team to send them off in style. The lads showed tremendous heart and character, particularly in the second half when we turned the game around. James’ individual try was a special moment, and Joe’s contribution down the wing was exactly the kind of performance we needed. It’s a real testament to the team’s resilience and the bond we have as a squad. I'm proud of how they dug deep and got the job done today."