Match report by Alistair Morrison
Chosen Hill Former Pupils visited Trowbridge for the first time after defeating them 34-21 when the Doric Park outfit visited them in September. They moved up a level since last season and were 4th in the league before this match.
They started brightly and in the early stages they appeared to score a try but referee Mark Lenton Jinks ordered a 5 metre scrum and he then penalised the visitors for obstruction when scrum half Jack Medcroft went over. Trowbridge had defended well in this period and the Chosen Hill forwards did not gain the upper hand like they did in the earlier match. The Doric Park side then made some progress and after several phases of attack scrum half Rhys Hutt dived in over from a ruck on the visitors line. Tom Weaver made a good conversion. The teams were well matched and both defences were on top. The visitors had the benefit of the elements in the first half but the side wind hampered their progress and Trowbridge were able to look forward to taking advantage after the interval. However they were forced to concede penalties as play progressed and fly half Harry Matthews kicked a straight forward penalty to disturb the scorers just before the interval, and after a kick to the corner Chosen Hill won a line out and prop Rowan Mullis was forced over for a try. Matthews was unable to convert and the score remained at 10-8 at the interval.
Trowbridge started the second half and a series of attacks resulted in a cross field kick from Tom Weaver to Lewis Jordan on the left wing. Jordan beat the Chosen Hill defence to score and Weaver converted from the touch line. The period continued with entertaining rugby from both sides but good defence prevented any scores until late in the game. With time running out Trowbridge were awarded a penalty just inside the visitors ten metre line. With the option of kicking to the corner for a line out or for goal Weaver chose to kick at goal. Success would mean Trowbridge would be two scores up with a minute left on the clock. It then became clear that this would be the last action of the match. Weaver’s kick was missed but the ball was still in play. The Gloucestershire side proceeded to run the ball the length of the field and flanker Tom Gyde scored by the 5 metre line to bring the score to 17-16 with the conversion to come. Matthews who had been influential with his long kicks in the second half, missed the kick and Trowbridge had completed their third win in a row.
One feature of the match was the much improved line out performance with both Sam Hales and Gareth Davis, much helped by the accurate throwing in from Rory Murchison. Their forwards are also more competitive than earlier in the season. This win did not move them in the table after Gordano pipped Frome by a point. With the other results, Cheltenham beat Chippenham and there were wins for Matson over Winscombe and Newent over Keynsham.
Director of Rugby Ali Lund said "Speaking to the players after the game we were very pleased with the result, against a strong Chosen Hill side, but we were disappointed with our performance level. In the position we find ourselves in it is a vital four league points but we are aiming to put on a more entertaining & clinical performance for our supporters. We felt we did some things really well; like execution of our line out and strike plays but we left a lot of missed opportunities out on the field during the game".
Trowbridge take a break from league action next week because they were due to visit Old Patesians before hosting Gordano on 17th December (2pm kick off) as Trowbridge catch up on their home matches.