TROWBRIDGE kept alive their South West One East survival hopes, but probably need to win at least two of their remaining four matches after Olney won at Marlow and Reading Abbey drew at home to second-placed High Wycombe.

Survival had long since disappeared for winless Bassett and it was the visitors who opened confidently, driving Matt Howard over for a try following a lineout in the first five minutes.

However, Bassett had two chances soon after, just failing to gather a charged-down kick across the try line, before Dave Hogg missed a relatively simple penalty chance.

Territorially the match was even but with their forwards dominant, Trowbridge gradually made progress attacking from the base of the scrum.

Shane Johnstone and Joe Knight were to the fore and it was Knight who increased the lead when he outpaced the Bassett defence to score.

Again the conversion attempt from Ashley Chalk went wide.

Trowbridge’s confidence gained as the half wore on.

They also took their chance with Karl Parry barging over after half an hour before pressure told on the Bassett back line when Adam Sullivan intercepted a pass to the left wing and ran in to score.

This time Kyle Knight converted to make the interval; score 22-0.

Trowbridge continued to exert pressure in the second half, despite playing up the slope.

They scored two more tries early on through well take tries from skipper Sullivan and Joe Knight and both were converted by Kyle Knight.

This took the score to 36-0 and until then the home side did not really threaten.

Barry Coombs sustained an injury and came off and Trowbridge had to reorganise their back row.

Bassett seemed to gain more possession at this stage and Trowbridge lost some urgency.

The home side took advantage of some indifferent Trowbridge defence and scored two tries in the last quarter.

Hooker Adam Rumble and scrum half Billy Johnston scored and Hogg converted both to dent Trowbridge's points advantage.

But Trowbridge had the final word when Sullivan kicked a drop goal from 35 metres.

Trowbridge are now level on points with Salisbury who lost at Saturday.

They have another must win match at Green Lane on Saturday when they entertain fellow strugglers Reading Abbey.

A highlight of the day for Trowbridge came on their return to their clubhouse when skipper Lloyd Davis made an appearance after his burns accident last month.

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