TROWBRIDGE’S fate for this season in South West 1 East was almost certainly made clear after they were beaten by Oxford Harlequins 31-27 at Doric Park.

Although Oxford deserved to shade the match, this was a much better performance by Steve Ojomoh’s side than in recent games, but with wins for Grove and High Wycombe, Trowbridge have fallen two places into a relegation spot.

They also have to travel to Towcester and Newbury in the next three weeks, with Maidenhead at home in between, and all of these teams are in the top five of the league at present.

Oxford took the lead after just two minutes when fly-half Sam Watkinson sent over a 40m penalty.

Their backs were dangerous on the counter-attack as the match progressed but they were unable to trouble the scorers and Trowbridge, with their forwards successfully putting together a series of phases, took the lead when hooker Dave Martin went over.

Tom Weaver, making a welcome home return after being out for over a season with a broken leg, converted.

From that point, there was an entertaining period of end-to-end rugby, which finished with a Jack Robinson try for Quins after a break from centre Ollie Jenner.

Watkinson converted but there was still time for Tom Weaver to kick two penalties and visiting centre Huw Dimond to be sent to the sin-bin before the half-time whistle sounded with Trowbridge 13-10 up.

The second half started with Harlequins moving up a gear and cutting out the penalties they gave away in the opening period. Watkinson was effectively directing operations and levelled the scores with a penalty soon after the break.

Both sides continued to play expansive rugby in perfect conditions and a mesmerising move resulted in a score for Dimond. Watkinson converted and the score was 20-13 to Oxford.

Four minutes later, Quins flanker Charlie Ward was also given a 10-minute break but Watkinson increased the lead with another penalty.

Oxford were then down to 13 men when skipper Alan Purchase was yellow carded but despite this reduction in numbers, Quins replacement Robin Craig scored a try.

Trowbridge then rallied and scored two tries through Gareth Davis and George Leat. Both were converted by Weaver, but in between Watkinson kicked a penalty that proved to be the difference at the final whistle.