IT WAS a case of deja vu on Saturday as Trowbridge Rugby Club was the scene of championship celebrations but this time it was for the visitors.

After winning the Dorset and Wilts Division One title last season, Trowbridge were left to look on enviously as Ivel clinched the Southern Counties South title at Green Lane.

They still have one match left to play but the convincing win over Trowbridge has ensured their rival cannot catch them.

Trowbridge captain Barry Coombes admitted he expected defeat.

He said: "They are the league champions and the best team so it was always going to be an uphill task.

"They are fitter than us, stronger than us and more talented than us. They really wanted to win the league.

"It was actually nice to help them celebrate afterwards and we had a really good time in the club house."

Trowbridge were forced to make changes in their back line due to injuries to influential backs Adam Sullivan and Dave Passmore.

Ivel were quick to spot the weakness in Trowbridge's back line and set out trying to take advantage.

The first half was quite an even affair with both sides looking like scoring until mistakes stopped their attacks.

After an early let off it was Ivel who opened the scoring with a try in the corner. The conversion was missed.

Trowbridge pressed in search for a quick response but the Ivel defence held firm. Trowbridge's Lee McClurg was sin binned for punching an opponent and Ivel made them pay with a converted try just before half time.

After the break the home side were guilty of being their own worst enemy as they gave the ball away at crucial stages.

Ivel were quick in taking the ball off them and some excellent rucking from the Ivel fly half saw them camped them in the Trowbridge half.

As the half wore on, Trowbridge lost the ball just when it seemed as though an opening for them to score had appeared and Ivel broke to score their third try of the match to take the score to 19-0.

Trowbridge refused to give up and a good attack from their own half saw them with a line out in the visitors' 22.

They won the ball cleanly and with the help of the pack Matt Dudman drove over for his side's first score. Graeme Morrison converted.

With 15 minutes remaining Coombes was sin binned for stamping on an opponent which brought an end to Trowbridge's come back hopes.

Ivel added a penalty late on to make the final score 22-7.

Trowbridge travel to Corsham tomorrow for the quarter final of the Bath Combination cup. Kick off is at 1.30pm.

Dave Passmore, Paul Hanlon, Richard Jones, Alex Hill and Matt Dudman are all absent.