TROWBRIDGE slipped to their fifth South West Division One East defeat of the season on Saturday when losing 20-14 against Wiltshire rivals Royal Wootton Bassett.

Dan Jeffries’ men failed to make progress up the division, but were saved from falling further down the league as bottom clubs Witney and Swindon also suffered defeats – their sixth losses on the spin.

Trowbridge entered their latest tie off the back of their first league win of the season against Oxford Harlequins at home – a 23-13 triumph.

In wet conditions, both teams took to the field with an attacking mindset.

It did take 10 minutes for the 0-0 deadlock to be broken, though. Bassett fly half Tom Fieldsend took advantage of Trowbridge’s ruck failing to stay on their feet when kicking a penalty to put the hosts three points ahead.

Jeffries rallied his troops though, and they were soon on the front foot themselves – putting Bassett under large pressure in their own 22.

Pressure eventually resulted in reward for Trowbridge, who crossed the whitewash close to the posts – allowing the visitors to open up a four-point lead.

That wasn’t set to be the end of Bassett’s woes as number eight Neil Smith was forced off the field with a leg injury before Trowbridge registered their second try when crossing the line after several well-timed build up passes.

A successful conversion stretched Trowbridge’s lead to 14-3, however that was to be the last time Jeffries’ men would score as Bassett took control soon after.

A quick penalty on the 22 saw Bassett’s Jefeti Vakalalabure tap and go, catching Trowbridge off guard and consequently reducing their deficit to 8-14.

Bassett made the most of the drying conditions minutes before the half time break when Scott Douglas advanced beyond the whitewash, but was held up by a resilient Trowbridge defence.

Fortunately for Bassett, Vakalalabure was again on hand to claim the ball and add a second try in the corner - meaning Bassett trailed by a single point at the half time interval.

Trowbridge held firm in defence initially, but pressure told midway through the second half when Fieldsend delivered an accurate grubber kick that he was able to follow and claim.

The ball was then fed to Kyle Lovell, who forced his way past the Trowbridge back line to put the hosts ahead once more.

Fieldsend converted to hand Bassett a 20-14 lead – a lead which they held on to, allowing them to move up to fourth place in the league table.