Cheshunt 35 Trinity 28
Match report by Gerry Murphy

Trinity came up just short after a wonderful match of running rugby played at the very hospitable Cheshunt club.

Ben Telfer was just short of a 50-22 early on but Trinity took the game to the hosts with strong carries from Farooq Agbalaya and Olly Hubbard. Pressure was sustained and some swift handling left saw Marc McEvilly delay his pass to put Adam Sheehy in for the opening score after 4 minutes. Trinity followed up with plenty of enterprising play in the loose, but the first scrum revealed a huge advantage to a powerful home pack.

The visitors now had to defend but did so well, with prop Lewis Chin-You carrying well. Trinity launched another attack when Farooq brilliantly fielded Josh Joubert’s box-kick and surged forward. Cheshunt came back powerfully, winning a scrum penalty and making ground with a well-ordered driving maul. A fine tackle by Tom Wilcox and then another try-saving one by Ali Hall kept them out. When Cheshunt set up a flowing move Max Mouna timed his run perfectly to intercept the last pass and speed to the line for Trinity’s second try. George Kimmins converted and the visitors led 12-0 after 13 minutes. The home pack, however, began to assert itself and despite two huge tackles by Ty Williams, the second enabling Mouna to win a turnover, Cheshunt’s rock-solid line out and powerful driving maul pushed Trinity back and, when Hubbard was given a yellow card, the ensuing scrum gave Cheshunt the opening to force a penalty try. Back came Trinity with a promising move but Olisa Ufodiama could not hold a pass, and Cheshunt took a quick scrum and raced down the field. It was typical of Trinity’s commitment that the same Olisa was immediately back to tackle the flying Cheshunt winger into touch. This was not rewarded, however, as Trinity had infringed and Cheshunt exploited the position with a line out in the corner, the inevitable driving maul and a converted try to take the lead at 14-12 after 37 minutes. As they came again, they were driven back with a turnover from Hubbard and then an excellent tap-tackle by Mouna. Cheshunt were then penalised and Kimmins took full advantage to strike a fine goal and send Trinity in at the interval one point in the lead.

Cheshunt were soon in the visitors’ 22 on the resumption and, despite big tackles by Williams and Farooq, an injury to McEvilly put Trinity even more at the mercy of the home pack. Their next scrum was well managed, and they drove over for their third converted try and a 21-15 lead. Trinity still had plenty of fight in them and were particularly good at keeping Cheshunt in their own half, so good was the visitor’s line speed and tackling and incredible support for each other. They sensibly decided to use Kimmins’ unerring boot to kick two penalties and get back to 21-18. Better was to come when a high kick ahead was knocked on by Cheshunt and Olisa and Farooq were up to play the advantage and win good possession. Farooq then unloaded to Mouna, flying up in support and he gleefully crossed for his second try of the afternoon. Kimmins converted and Trinity were 25-21 up. Mids were now winning the battle in midfield and had a big chance to go further ahead when Sheehy saw space and kicked ahead for a chase. The last lone defender went down on the ball on his line, and it seemed as if Trinity must score but, somehow, Cheshunt escaped.

Trinity continued to look for a clinching score and Ben Vaillant made a big tackle, followed by an awesome flying tackle by Olly Wilcox which drew gasps from the supporters. Trinity were awarded a penalty, Cheshunt were marched back for protesting and Kimmins stretched the lead to 7 points going into the last quarter. They had a chance to put the game to bed when Kimmins found the corner with a penalty and then Cheshunt were penalised again there and sustained a yellow card. However, Trinity battered the line without success and Cheshunt raised the siege. An injury to Farooq further depleted Trinity’s pack which had already lost Hall to injury and McEvilly was not fit to return. The visitors’ bench did very well, with veteran prop Dom Plumb putting in an excellent shift and debutant Jonny Healy showing real promise. Callum True came on for Mouna in the last quarter. Cheshunt finished very strongly. They drove back up field and scored two power tries to regain the lead at 35-28 with added time looming. Trinity made one final gallant effort with a strong surge by Williams, but they were then turned over, and Cheshunt prevailed after a titanic match.

Coach Matt Higgins was very proud of his team’s display against their very strong and capable opposition. Cheshunt are top of their league in which they are unbeaten all season.