Westbury RFC Victorious in Local Derby

Saturday 9th December. Counties 2 Tribute, Dorset and Wilts Central League. Westbury RFC 33 Trowbridge RFC 2nd XV 12.

TROWBRIDGE RFC hosted Westbury RFC for this derby match where the conditions were dominated by a strong wind, blowing straight down the pitch. The game was set to be an epic clash between the two teams, with Westbury narrowly ahead in the table with just one more win. 

Westbury won the toss and chose to kick off. With the wind at their backs, they got off to a flying start with scrum half George Leat, cutting through the Trowbridge defence and barrelling over the line after just a couple of minutes. George’s brother Sam, playing at standoff, added the extras. Westbury were able to maintain their energy and stay focused, resulting in a second try soon after as a result of George Harford’s pace, burning off the opposition to get over the try line. Sam Leat kicked the conversion. 

Undeterred by Westbury’s ferocious start, Trowbridge started to wrestle back some momentum and after some hard-fought battles from both teams inside their respective 22 metre areas, Trowbridge scored their first try. Westbury were quick to respond and replied with a classic try scored by second row forward Josh Ford, who picked up the ball at the back of a ruck and with the grace of an Olympic diver reached over the line to secure Westbury’s third try. Once more, Sam Leat added the extra points. 

With time running out in the first half, in a combined move involving both forwards, Westbury added a fourth converted try through hooker Jack Bates to lead 28-5 at the break 

The second half started With Westbury now playing into the strong wind, but with skillful game management in keeping the ball away from the Trowbridge players, so that they couldn’t use the advantage of the wind. After 18 minutes, the third Leat brother, James, playing at full back managed to get around the outside of a strong and hard-hitting Trowbridge defence to score Westbury’s fifth and final try of the match.  

To their credit, Trowbridge fought back hard and they were able to score their second try. At the final whistle, with the score at 33-12, Westbury had secured their first win over Trowbridge for quite a few seasons.  

Special mentions must go to the Westbury front row, and stand off Sam Leat, all of which were nominated as men of the match by the club’s vice presidents.