Royal Wootton Bassett RFC

Bassett, with the benefit of the strong wind immediately went on the attack. It looked as though they had taken the lead in the third minute after a good attack from full back Dan Hale but the effort was ruled out as a double movement. Shortly after a period of forward dominance saw the ball shifted to fly half Troy Cusack who outwitted the defence. Centre Connor Tomley slotted the conversion.

A further forward effort minutes later saw the ball shifted along the line and winger Sam Davies was able to touch down in the corner. 

Bassett were in complete control and Trowbridge looked in disarray. A neat Cusack pop pass to veteran second row Chris Patterson followed by a Tomley conversion extended the Bassett lead to 19-0. Skipper Gavin Ougan then pounced on a Trowbridge mistake to run 50 metres before being held up. The ball came to Tomley who powered over followed up with the conversion. This secured the four try bonus point. 

Trowbridge then had their best spell of the half and were rewarded when their right wing scored an excellent individual try. Bassett were now running the ball at every opportunity. Scrum half Alex Plows took a quick tap penalty and the ball was flung wide to replacement wing Romu Ratudina who raced over for a try on his debut. Tomley converted. Deep in added time another Plows tap penalty provided the crowd with a déjà vu moment with Ratudina going over again for Bassett to lead 38-5 at the interval.

Bassett had built up a convincing lead but were now playing against the gale. Early Trowbridge pressure went unrewarded and Bassett then saw a superb Ratudina break end in Plows driving over in the corner. Trowbridge then had a sustained period of possession with their forwards eventually driving over for the converted try to reduce the deficit to 43-12. With 10 minutes remaining and the wind at their back Trowbridge drove over for their third try and sniffed the opportunity of a bonus point if they could score again. 

Bassett were restricted to rare forays into the Trowbridge 22. However, late on they were rewarded when abrasive young centre Scott Douglas, grandson of legendary Bassett second row Les "Strawberry" Hunt went on a power packed run to feed Loughborough University student Joe Pettit who raced over to seal the 50-17 victory.

Pettit, a product of the Bassett youth conveyor belt had an excellent game but the highlight for Bassett will surely be the introduction of three debutants to first XV rugby at the club. Former Corsham hooker Scott Parry started and flanker George Lane and winger Romu Ratudina came off the bench playing their parts in a commanding Bassett performance. 

Bassett now host long term Dorset rivals Wimborne in the next match but will be sure not to underestimate their opponents as they look to consolidate their play-off spot in the league.

Match Report by George Loughlin

Match Photography by James Booth

Scorers :

• Troy Cusack 1T
• Sam Davies 1T
• Chris Patterson 1T
• Connor Tomley 1T, 5C
• Romu Ratudina 2T
• Alex Plows 1T
• Joe Pettit 1T