A MUCH-improved performance from Newent 1st XV threatened to upset the form book at Regional One South West pacesetters Trowbridge.

Newent’s backs were strengthened by the return of Joe Warner at outside centre, but the recurrence of long-term injuries to skipper Ben Vincent and Leo Oakey necessitated significant changes in the back row.

Jim Hartland moved to No 8, Kyle Towers shifting from the wing to the unfamiliar position of blindside flanker and junior product Joe Heron made a first start on the openside.

Newent put in a big defensive shift to absorb early pressure before opening the scoring with their first significant attack.

A break by Tom Webb from inside his own half was taken on by Towers and Jim Hartland to give scrum-half Tom Cowan a clear run to the posts, Doug Long adding the extras (0-7).

The game was in its second quarter when the hosts opened their account through Oakley Milton.

Milton had a chance to add to his account when he intercepted a pass from Tom Webb, but couldn’t control his kick ahead when clear of the covering defence.

But a catalogue of handling errors saw Trowbridge score again to make it 12-7.

The half ended with Newent on the attack following a break by Cowan who was replaced by Luke Stephens, making his competitive debut for the club.

Trowbridge dominated the early stages of the second period and added to their lead when the ball was taken over from a scrum on Newent’s 22.

Newent broke the shackles though with a move from a quick tap and go when Trowbridge were penalised at a ruck in the visitors’ 22.

But the attack was thwarted by an early tackle which earned a yellow card for Trowbridge’s scrum-half Ali Lane.

Another quick tap penalty saw Josh Lever make a strong carry before Joe Heron burst clear, but he was called back for crossing.

The hosts then recycled the ball through multiple phases until captain Ethan Hutt touched down under the posts for the bonus point try, Alex Kilbane converting to put Trowbridge 24-7 entering the final quarter.

But Newent demonstrated admirable resilience in producing their best rugby in the last 20 minutes.

Another quickly taken tap penalty sparked an attack in which replacement wing Josh Hill made a key incision before the ball was moved wide to Long who dived full length for the tightest of finishes in the right-hand corner, before adding a superb conversion (24-14).

The full back played a role in Newent’s next try a few minutes later, releasing Adrian Connelly who showed the Trowbridge defence a clean pair of heels in running in behind the posts after Joe Warner had sparked the attack with a break from a scrum 25m from the visitors’ line.

Long’s conversion made it 24-21 and there was a sense the momentum had shifted when Trowbridge were shunted off their own ball after a knock-on to win a penalty.

But a kick to the corner after a high tackle by Newent then led to a home try and a 29-21 lead for Trowbridge.

Newent pressed again to try and get two bonus points, but a promising attack from another quick tap was halted by a Trowbridge knock on.

Elsewhere, Ross lost 52-17 at home to Smiths 2nds.

Newent host Launceston on Saturday, (October 17) while Ross host Old Cryptians.