TROWBRIDGE moved into the Southern Counties Intermediate Cup final as a strong first-half performance swept aside Oxfordshire visitors Alchester at Doric Park on Saturday.

Steve Ojomoh’s men will host Southern Counties North leaders Bletchley on February 1 for the right to play in the South West Intermediate Cup final – just two rounds away from a potential final at Twickenham.

With both sides seemingly determined to run the ball wide despite the wet conditions the home side crossed the line first through James McFarlane, who capitalised on a poor clearance kick and rounded the defence to score out wide.

Lloyd Davis added the conversion and the home side pressed home their advantage as Ashley Chalk touched down, Davis again kicking the extras.

The visitors hit back almost straight away with a Tom Iles try and conversion from Adam Thompson.

But Trowbridge seemed to move up a gear, piling pressure on the Alchester defence resulting in a forward pushover and an unconverted try for Alan Chadwick.

A second converted score from Chalk made it 26-7 at the interval.

The second half saw the visitors test the home defence to the full, attacking the Trowbridge line at every opportunity looking for a score to bring them back into the game.

But the game was over for them once Trowbridge prop Sean Jones touched down, Davis landing the conversion.

REACTION TO TROWBRIDGE'S WIN, PLUS THE REST OF THE WEEKEND RUGBY IN FRIDAY'S WILTSHIRE TIMES