FOUR players were sent off as Trowbridge lost 17-24 to Oldfield Old Boys in a fiery Southern Counties South battle at Green Lane.

Trowbridge hooker Matt Dudman and left wing Matthew Dowling were both sentenced to early baths as Trowbridge failed in an exciting comeback bid.

Oldfield had their centre and a second row forward dismissed for violent conduct in a match littered with stoppages.

Oldfield raced into a 24-0 lead by half-time, thanks to three converted tries and a penalty. Trowbridge squandered their best chance of the half when right winger Ryan Davis dropped the ball with the try-line beckoning.

Trowbridge began to assert themselves after the interval and it was not long before fly-half Ali Lund breached the Oldfield defence. Lund converted his own try to give the hosts hope of a fight-back.

Skipper Nick Lawes crashed over minutes later and Lund converted again to reduce the arrears to 14-24. A penalty from Lund brought Trowbridge to within one try of their visitors with 20 minutes to play.

But indiscipline from Dudman and Dowling left Trowbridge two men short.

Parity was restored when two Oldfield players saw red, but Trowbridge failed to add to their tally, having two tries disallowed in the dying stages.

  • Full story and reaction in Friday's Wiltshire Times.