Trowbridge take a Joshing

Bartlett treble leads Blues to opening day win on the road

Trowbridge 3 Newbury Blues 24

A Josh Bartlett hat-trick of tries steered Blues to a winning start in South West One East as they surged clear in the second half to claim a five-point opener.

A windswept first half was scoreless until Josh Winfield linked with fellow back row Ryan Davis after Tony Thorne’s break and evaded the last man to touch down after 28 minutes, but after having Ben Hicks sin-binned, they conceded a penalty on the stroke of half time and Lloyd Davis reduced the arrears.

Josh Frost missed an early second half chance to put the home side ahead, but Blues gradually exerted a grip, despite seeing Duncan Craigen and Toby Thorne collect yellow cards, although the latter set up winger Josh Bartlett to stretch the lead with Dan Thorne converting.

Bartlett touched down twice more in the final 10 minutes with Thorne converting once as Blues fnished well on top.