In a very entertaining match in sunshine but on a very hard surface Trinity opened their Cup campaign against a lively neighbour. 

The hosts had an early attack but this was well tidied up by Ollie Wilcox.  Then Becs lost control of the ball and Josh Joubert backed himself to embark on a mazy run and unloaded to Aidan Sisk who scored. The next time Josh tried to go on his own he was dispossessed and Becs had a period of pressure which Mids defended well. In a good exit there was a strong carry from Tom Wilcox who put Sisk away.  He looked likely to score but, when challenged, found Olly Hubbard up in support and he took the pass to double Mids’ lead to 10-0 after 8 minutes. Trinity were now in danger of underestimating their opponents and they began to concede penalties. A fine 50-22 gave the home team a platform but they overthrew at the line out and Trinity had a chance to put their backs away again.  However, an interception spiked this and Becs were in for a 7 pointer after 15 minutes. There was then a long delay as one of the home players was injured.

Becs piled on the pressure and got a fortunate try when Ollie Wilcox, in trying to run out of his in-goal area to avoid a 5 metre-scrum was tackled.  He felt that he had grounded the ball, but the referee deemed otherwise and awarded a second try to Becs. Their backs were very talented and Mids were not playing the right game against them.  Josh made another good break but there was another interception and Becs attacked again. Trinity had been warned about the penalty count and at the next infringement Harry Wilson was carded. Tom Fairclough put in a fine tackle to prevent a score, but the home side kept control and quickly ran in two tries to lead 26-10.  Trinity were rocking but contested the kick-off well and suddenly Luke Joubert, brother of Josh, who had come on as a replacement was over for a try, having been on the field for less than a minute! Trinity were competing better now with some very good work from Khrys Speed. As the clocked ticked towards 50 minutes of a first half extended because of injury, Becs chose to kick a penalty to make it 29-15.

There was time for another of their backs’ excellent running moves, and it seemed they must score again but a magnificent tackle by Max Mouna saw this danger off.

No doubt coach Matt Higgins had things to say to his players at the break as they emerged after the interval much more determined to go through the phases and use the talents of the team as a whole. Becs were offside when a kick was blocked down, and Chris Reid showed real strength to power his way over. Luke Joubert converted and there was now only one score in it. Trinity were more patient and Speed drove into the 22. A powerful maul was taken down by Becs and they received a yellow card. Farooq Agbalaya was alert to the chance and took the penalty quickly to score. Luke’s kick just shaved the post, and it was 29-27 after 53 minutes. Farooq was then injured and when Mids were penalised for not releasing Becs kicked a good goal into the breeze. 32-27. Trinity struck back straight away after MarcMcEvilly fielded a high ball Gaelic Football-style and the ball was spread quickly right for Sam Goldschmied to speed over and tie the scores at 32-32 with 20 minutes left. Ozzy Edwards now got into the action and showed several lively touches.  He and Speed were instrumental in creating a fine movement which put Luke in for his second try.

Trinity then suffered another injury when Harry Wilson pulled up with a recurrence of the hamstring pull which had cost him a long period of playing during the year.  There then followed a fracas when Josh was adjudged to have made a dangerous tackle and retaliation followed, leading sadly to a red card for each side. Trinity were now getting on top. The scrum had been solid throughout with Tim Jupp and Dom Plumb well to the fore.David Hoffmann carried well and there were turnovers by each Wilcox brother in turn. Isaiah Opara made some fine catches in the line out.  A bizarre try followed when a crossfield kick went awry but was fielded brilliantly by McEvilly who, with a deft touch, popped it to Mouna who hared up the touchline to score. Becs came again with a strong sally, but a searching kick was well fielded by Max Farrell who sidestepped his man to make ground and deliver the perfect pass for Fairclough to run in unopposed.

Mids will now meet Weybridge Vandals in Round 2 on the weekend of 26 April, with the winners to play Crowborough.

MATCH PHOTOS via Pete Filewood’s Flickr Page