I'd just like to add...
The Frigate used in the trial had a better weapons config for capship fights than most players on the server would use.
In the Cruiser vs Frigate test, the cruiser was able to drop the shields on the Frigate and do minor damage before being destroyed. I'll be the first to admit I'm a bit rusty with a cruiser. Repeated tests inflicted a little more damage on the Frigate.
Against my Corsair Dreadnaught, the frigate was able to drop my shields and do minor damage before being destroyed.
A cruiser was able to reduce my shields by around half to three quarters before being destroyed.
A more typical weapons loadout(or a less experienced pilot) on the frigate and the cruiser would have stood a much better chance against it.