TROWBRIDGE skipper Barry Coombs has apologised for the "act of frustration" which cost his side two tries and ultimately two league points on Saturday.

Coombs was sin-binned for punching mid-way through the first half and was forced to watch as the classy Bath outfit crossed the whitewash twice to ram home their early advantage.

After 10 minutes on the touchline, a sheepish Coombs rejoined his team-mates and tried to make amends for his stupidity with a brace of well-taken tries.

But Oldfield proved too strong and despite a second half fightback, Trowbridge came up three points short.

Coombs said: "To be honest I was a bit lucky to stay on the pitch. I had to stand on the sidelines and think about what I had done.

"When I ran back onto the field I apologised to the lads and told them I wanted to make it up to them. When I went over for my first try it made me feel a lot better."

Trowbridge came close to causing an upset against their high-flying opponents despite Coombs' misdemeanor in a thrilling match at Green Lane.

Tries from Coombs, Adam Misselbrook and Adam Sullivan, with two conversions from the boot of Alex Hill saw the home side turn around 19-24 in arrears.

Further tries from Hill and skipper Coombs, with one Hill conversion proved in vain as Oldfield took advantage of some sloppy defending to seal a hard-fought win.

"We really could have done with a victory," said Coombs. "Like every team in the bottom half of the table we are looking to avoid relegation.

"But we should have a strong squad for the rest of season. If we can keep our penalty count down, and that includes the captain, then I'm optimistic we can win our last four games.

"We're still in the Bath Combination Cup so that gives us something to look forward to. Everyone at Trowbridge wants to end the season on a high."

Trowbridge travel to Corsham tomorrow for another vital Southern Counties South match.