Trowbridge 37, Wallingford 26

TROWBRIDGE survived a late comeback from Oxfordshire outfit Wallingford to move into round three of the EDF Senior Vase.

The Berks/Bucks and Oxon Premier Division leaders were unbeaten before their visit to Green Lane, but the visitors failed to add Trowbridge to their list of scalps.

The home side handed a debut to colts captain Adam Sutherland as they made seven changes from the side which lost to Oldfield last Saturday.

Sutherland's express pace caught the eye of flanker and former skipper Barry Coombs, who singled out the 17-year-old for special praise.

Coombs said: "Adam was impressive on his first senior start. He's lightning quick and he wasn't afraid to get stuck in.

"We have some good players coming through the colts and hopefully we can hold on to them for the future."

Inside centre Matt Larrard put Trowbridge ahead after the home forwards had carved an opening with some tough tackling.

A faultless catch and drive from a line-out resulted in a second try for the hosts, which was finished off by Adam Misselbrook.

Fly half Nick Maidment then created an opening for Liam Ellis to crash over from 10 metres to give Trowbridge a 10-0 lead.

Left wing Ryan Davis dived over in the corner after a wonderful pass from Joe Knight to extend the lead.

Wallingford hit back with a converted try from Derek Viljeon before the inspirational Maidment added a fifth score for Trowbridge when he charged down a kick.

Trowbridge started the second period with two players in the sin bin and Wallingford soon countered to score through winger Elliot Simons.

James Lawes stretched the home side's lead to 30-12 when he crashed over in the corner, but the visitors were handed a lifeline when Coombs was ordered to the sin bin.

Tries from Henry Venners and Kris Blaszko, one of which was converted by Ollie Henderson, brought Wallingford to within four points.

But Trowbridge scrum half Jack Hanham settled any nerves when he charged down a kick from Venners to score beneath the posts.