TROWBRIDGE were denied a winning start to their new year league campaign by a last-minute Tom Hopkins penalty.

With the welcome return to the side of James McFarlane and Jackson Szabo, Trowbridge dominated the first quarter of the first half and took the lead with a penalty from Kyle Knight.

Sherborne responded with several strong attacks resulting in the visitors infringing twice giving fly-half Hopkins two successful kicks for a slim half-time lead.

Trowbridge started the second half strongly but were still unable to turn possession into points through poor handling and simple mistakes.

The defence held firm as the home side upped the pressure and eventually the visitors did put together good moves, resulting in a break with Szabo touching down out wide.

The visitors tried to hold on to their slender lead only to give away a penalty in the last few minutes, whcih Hopkins landed and a late Trowbridge effort sailed wide.

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