DAN Jeffries is in no doubt over Trowbridge’s ability to mix it at a higher level as their 71-3 thumping of bottom side Blandford at Doric Park took them to within a point of Southern Counties South leaders Sherborne on Saturday, writes DAVID PHILLIPS.

“We know we’re good enough to play in South West One,’’ added Jeffries. “It was a really good performance, we have really high standards of ourselves. I’ll take 70 points every day.

“They (Blandford) committed a lot to the breakdown and left themselves short when we got the ball.’’

Trowbridge opened the scoring with a try from back row Karl Crosbie, Tom Weaver with the conversion and it wasn’t long until Trowbridge were breaking through again, this time through winger George Leat, scoring in the corner on his return to the first team.

Jeffries was impressed with his sides attacking ability “we got to play most of the patterns we wanted”

Trowbridge continued to move up the pitch with strong runs from centre Shai Bonnick and number eight Max Day, their aggressive play opening up the space for 18 year old Zak Harvey to score on his first team debut.

The home side went into the second half 45-0 up, Leat bagging his hat-trick, while Wade Loftus scored twice, Connor James, Ashley Chalk and Joe Knight also touching down, Weaver adding the balance of points with the boot.

Crosbie was yellow-carded for kicking the ball out of the ruck late in the game, allowing Blandford to secure their only points of the match through a penalty.

Jeffries, who reckons the April 14 clash at Marlborough will be pivotal to the season, added: “Blandford were really competitive. They were really good at the breakdown but we took out chances really well today.’’