TROWBRIDGE moved themselves away from the lower regions of South West One East as they edged out their Oxfordshire opponents in a tight match at Doric Park.

Witney attacked from the start but after missing an early penalty it was Trowbridge who opened the scoring after five minutes when Lloyd Davis kicked a penalty on their first visit into the Witney half.

Witney responded with a straightforward Henry Lamb penalty five minutes later.

The Trowbridge forwards had the better of the first half and were prompted by Davis’ tactical kicking which gave them territorial advantage but they were unable to break the Witney defence.

During one of their attacks Barry Coombs made a good break into the Witney 22 but was injured in the tackle around five metres out and had to leave the field to be replaced by Dan Smith but was able to return to action later.

Lamb kicked another penalty for Witney after half an hour, but Davis evened things up with 35 minutes gone and regained the lead for Trowbridge just before the break.

The pattern of the match continued in the second half with neither side able to break through and several times promising moves from both sides broke down with turnovers in possession and penalties at the breakdown.

Davis kicked a penalty to increase Trowbridge's lead but Lamb first reduced the lead with a penalty and then levelled when Trowbridge were caught offside with 15 minutes to go.

A tense period followed, but mistakes from the visitors and some good Trowbridge pressure at the breakdown brought three kickable penalties.

Davis had left the field so the responsibility was given to Tom Weaver.

He hit the post with the first kick and the second one fell just short.

Trowbridge's dogged determination forced a third penalty in the last minute and this time Weaver converted from 30 metres to give Trowbridge the win.