From the kick off Oldfield started well, capitalising on some hesitancy in the Trowbridge defence and heading into a 7 point lead with a Sean Jones try. The first 5 to 10 minutes of the half looked promising for Oldfield and gave no hint of the 30 minutes that was to follow.

Trowbridge gained a stranglehold on possession and attacked with simple running lines and a three quarter line ably boosted by any number of back row forwards. With Oldfield only having one genuine back row player in the side they found themselves hopelessly outnumbered in midfield and with good running lines Trowbridge ruthlessly took advantage of this imbalance.

Missed tackles, in part prompted by trying to defend more than one runner cost Oldfield dear and the Trowbridge full back caused chaos with a variety of runs, both back on the angle and arcing wide. Oldfield also played into the home sides hands by trying to move the ball too wide, too quickly and from far too deep – a crazy policy, as Trowbridge were hitting the breakdowns harder and faster and consistently turning over possession. The end result was a half that collapsed for Oldfield into a whopping deficit of 44-7 at the break.

Oldfield’s travelling supporters were genuinely worried about what might have happened in the second half, but instead of Trowbridge continuing to rack up tries Oldfield fought their way back into this astonishing game. The Oldfield pack started to rumble and with Godber entering the fray and joining Farmer and Nutty the scrum gained ascendency over the mahussive Trowbridge eight, with a well deserved push over try scored by No 8 Ben Staunton.

Staunts started to make some ground from the base of the scrums and Sean Hawkins, Ricky Gibson and Jamie Harrup worked their socks off to try and deliver the threes some ball. Arguably Oldfield’s man of the match Sean Jones made a number of bullocking runs and as the intensity increased Oldfield looked a completely different side.

The threes start to scythe through the previously impenetrable Trowbridge defence with all involved playing a part. Joel Hawkins sniffed out gaps that appeared to be non existent and trotted in for a couple of tries. Lils also cashed in with a strong run and he and the veteran Boycey celebrating his 41st birthday, started to revel in the more expansive side of the game. Joel scored a second and then after another good move sex pest, Jack Burns (watch out Gillett) picked up his now customary try. Quinno also deserves mention as he hit the line well and created a number of opportunities for others, as he did everything but score himself.

By the final whistle Oldfield had done far more than restore some pride, they had hauled themselves back from the abyss and after winning the second half 37-27 the final score was 71-44 to Trowbridge. Oldfield left the field wondering just what had happened in the dreadful first half, but can take great heart from the second half turnaround.

Tries: Jones S, Staunton B,  Hawkins J (2), Lilley S, Burns J

Conversions: Sumsion (4)