TROWBRIDGE’S search for their first South West One East points goes on after a sluggish start cost them dearly against Marlborough.

Head coach Dan Jeffries admitted his side were sloppy from the kick-off as they slipped 22 points behind and despite rallying for the remainder of the contest, the Doric Park men came up short.

Sam Edwards scored two tries and Tom Weaver kicked the balance of points, but it was too late for a comeback as they lost 39-18 on the second weekend of the season.

While disappointed, Jeffries insisted there was plenty to remain positive about, but admits they can not afford to be slow out of the blocks again.

“We started really badly and conceded 22 points in the first 15 minutes and then the next 65 minutes of the game we were back on it but it was too little too late,” said Jeffries.

“We were really loose at the start and they took their chances really well. We just weren’t as sharp as we have been over the last two or three years at the kick-off.

“After that 15 minutes we did what we needed to do but we just couldn’t do it at the right speed.

“It is frustrating because that is two weeks now where we have won 65 minutes of the game and we haven’t got any points.

“It is that little bit of professionalism and control which we are missing and we just need to develop that in our game.

“We had a couple of key guys in some key areas who are missing, so that didn’t help but we have ran these scenarios before and we know we have what it takes.”

It doesn’t get any easier for Trowbridge, who next up face early leaders Newbury Blues, who have made a faultless start to the new campaign.

Last weekend, they smashed Swindon 85-0 at home, in addition to their 67-7 win away from home on the opening day.

Despite their formidable form, Jeffries is confident his troops can compete with the league’s big hitters, as long as they play to their full potential

“We have Newbury at home this weekend, we have had quite a tough start as I expect Newbury will be in the top two at the end of the season,” added the Trowbridge boss.

“They’ve just come down. They are a really big club and they play quite expansive rugby. They’re strong out wide so it will be a battle.

“They beat Swindon by 85 points at the weekend so they will be buzzing but we know we haven’t had a full performance yet.

“When we get our full performance, we will be competing with everyone so I feel quite confident going into to the weekend and we are hoping we’ll be able to get something out of the game.”