SIMON Leat admitted things could have been worse after Trowbridge started the New Year with another defeat on Saturday.

The Trowbridge director of rugby was disappointed with the display that leaves his team just three points above the bottom of the Southern Counties South table. But with the two clubs below them, Bradford on Avon and Tadley, also losing, Leat chose to look on the bright side.

He said: "We have allowed North Dorset to pull away, but the most important thing was that the teams below us did not gain any ground.

"Our aim for the rest of the season is to try and climb up the table and get ourselves away from the worry of relegation. We have targeted four or five matches between now and the end of the season that are must win matches for us."

With a strong win in their favour, Trowbridge started well and bombarded the North Dorset line with fluent attacks. Resolute defence held Trowbridge at bay though and on 30 minutes the visitors broke away to take an undeserved lead.

Shortly after the restart, North Dorset scored again when a flowing move in their backs allowed their blind side winger to break through the midfield and sprint clear under the posts. The try was converted.

A determined Trowbridge hit back and pulled a try back through flanker Barry Coombes. The conversion was added by full back Mark Kemp and he added another penalty to bring the score back to 12-10.

Playing against the strong wind after the break, Trowbridge tried to close the gap but they were continually pinned back in their own half.