WITH both teams looking to consolidate their position in the league and with local passion evident this was to prove to be a bruising and physical encounter.
The opening 10 minutes were played at a frenetic pace with both teams looking to play expansive and entertaining rugby, but both defences were strong and did not miss any crucial tackles.
Trowbridge made a break inside the Devizes half and were awarded a penalty, but opted to run the ball instead of going for the three points. This was to prove a costly decision as the home side failed to capitalise on this territorial advantage.
Devizes started to use the blind side to their advantage and were able to gain momentum and move up the pitch. Some excellent support play resulted in a Devizes break from the 10 metre line with their back row forward crossing over for a try.
Trowbridge needed to pick themselves up but when an opportunity arose handling errors resulted in possession being lost. This proved a problem for Trowbridge as their opponents' ball retention was more consistent.
Trowbridge were under pressure but some excellent tackling by the whole team prevented Devizes from scoring on a number of occasions. However too much pressure and ill discipline resulted in Devizes scoring another try in the corner after working the blind-side and then spreading the play out wide.
Needing to score before the break Trowbridge forced the play deep into Devizes bottom right corner. Some good rucking and driving by the front five enabled the ball to be passed to fly-half Richard Jones.
He had the vision and the quick thinking to realise that the opposition were drifting and sold a dummy to his opposite tackler to break away and score a well worked try. Francis Chandler converted to narrow the gap to 10-7.
After the break Devizes were happy to use their points advantage and play the game deep in the Trowbridge half. The home side tried to run the ball from all areas of the pitch but just as they reached the Devizes 10 metre line ill-discipline or mistakes crept in.
Devizes scored another try after some great off-loading in the tackle area. Trowbridge were determined to get back into the game but the superb Devizes number 8 marshalled his team well and forced the home side into losing possession.
Midsomer Norton 2nds 26, Trowbridge 2nds 12
TROWBRIDGE travelled to Midsomer Norton anticipating a forward dominated game and their tactics were to play a quick rucking game and spin the ball wide wherever possible.
This seemed to work in the first half, with winger James Laws finishing off a well-worked move in the corner and a further try to follow from Danny Reed.
The first half finished 14-12 to the home side, but with the wind in Trowbridge's favour they hoped they could use it to claw back the small deficit.
However Mid-Norton's pack had most of the possession and with their well-drilled driving maul gave only scraps to Trowbridge. The visitors were never able to exert any pressure as the score increased to 26-12.
Trowbridge 3rds 55, Old Sulians 2nds 5
THIS was another home win for Trowbridge who dominated in the forwards from the kick off with a superior sized pack.
The score at half-time stood at 5-0 with the visitors from Bath putting up an excellent defensive performance.
A number of substitutions at half time to bring on the old hands paid dividends. Trowbridge piled on another 50 points as a result with only one try coming in response.
The try of the game came from number eight Sam Edwards who ran from just outside his own 22 metre line to score one of his three tries.
Other scorers were Luke Dart (3), Lloyd Griffiths, Sam Sherman and Gary McGauley. Griffiths also kicked five conversions.
Captain Lee Reed said: "The forwards' performance was outstanding; not bad for a front row with a combined aged of about 135 years. Mind you, I wouldn't want to guess their weight."
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