The difference in standard between South West 2 and Southern Counties was evident as Trowbridge comfortably beat Frome in this Bath Combination Cup Semi Final at Gypsy Lane.

They now play Chippenham in the final in a repeat of the 2003 final when the teams were 3 levels apart but this has been reduced to one level since Trowbridge’s 2 promotions in the intervening years.

The Green Lane side played with the wind in the first half and were soon 6-0 ahead through 2 Lloyd Davis penalties but handling errors and turnovers in possession hampered their progress.

Frome broke away after 20 minutes when an Ali Lund kick was fielded by the Frome right wing who kicked ahead.

Failure to gather the kick resulted in Frome gaining possession and Neil Collis won the race to another kick ahead to score under the posts and he converted to make the score 7-6.

At this stage and with the wind at their backs in the second half Frome’s prospects looked good but Frome faded and with no real game plan Trowbridge took control after Corshanm official John Beazer lost patience with ex Trowbridge flanker Jamie Little who strayed offside too many times and was yellow carded after 30 minutes.

This turned the match as during this period Trowbridge scored 22 unanswered points to lead 28-7 at the interval.

Shane Johnstone who scored a hat trick of tries in the corresponding league match last season burst through from a quickly taken penalty and Sdam Sullivan evaded several would be tackles before scoring under the posts in quick succession.

Davis converted both tries before Johnstone went over in the corner after forward pressure and a fluent backs move. Davis the kicked another penalty on the stroke of half time to make the score 28-7.

It was evident that the Frome front row was buckling under pressure especially from Karl Parry and they had to reorganise their personnel at the interval.

The anticipated fight back in the second half never materialised.

Their frustration resulted in some confrontations and one of these resulted in Little being dismissed from the field for punching and a player from each side being sin binned after Trowbridge prop Sam Edwards was trapped at the bottom of a ruck.

Trowbridge remained in control and wing Bruce Tasker scored a try in the corner midway through the half.

Davis converted with a magnificent kick from the touchline against the wind but the try of the match came after Frome were awarded a penalty five metres from the Trowbridge line.

They tried the barge over and when they lost possession, a Trowbridge move from their goal line went the length of the field and hooker Dave Martin sprinted over from 30 yards out.

Davis converted and Trowbridge were home.

The brought all of their replacements on to protect some of the starting line up from injury and Frome full back Jamie McDonald scored a well taken try in the closing minutes.

As the season draws to a close on what has been a memorable season they have the final at the Recreation Ground at Bath and they would ask the rugby following in Trowbridge for their support next Wednesday evening , kick off 8pm.